Burnley have appointed Scott Parker as their new manager, replacing Vincent Kompany after he moved to Bayern Munich in May.
The former Fulham and Bournemouth manager is returning to England having last worked at Club Brugge between December 2022 and March 2023. Parker has agreed a three-year deal and will be tasked with leading the Clarets back to the Premier League, having achieved promotion with both the Cottagers and Cherries.
“I’m really pleased to be here,” 43-year-old Parker said. “I have been speaking with Burnley for some time now which has been a positive thing as I’ve now got a real feel for the people around the club.
“To be around the training ground now you start to get that feeling again, and I can’t wait to get on the training field and start work.”
The former England midfielder’s first competitive match will be at Luton, who were also relegated, in the Championship season opener on 12 August.
“For us to be successful this year is the most important thing,” Parker continued. “We have to win and build a team the fans and club can be proud of. This team can represent every single one of them in that aspect and that’s the aim.”
The club’s chairman, Alan Pace, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Scott to Burnley. His vision for the future aligns with our goals and ambitions of returning to the Premier League as soon as possible.”
“His track record of success along with a commitment to developing young talent makes him an ideal fit. We are confident he can lead us to new heights and continue to build on the solid foundations laid at Turf Moor.”
The club, who were relegated from the top flight under Kompany last season, reportedly also held talks with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Frank Lampard over replacing the Belgian.
Saints sign Swansea defender Wood
Southampton have signed the central defender Nathan Wood from Swansea. The England Under-21 international has signed a four-year deal at St Mary’s and is reunited with Russ Martin, whom he played under at the Welsh club.
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“It’s obviously a massive club, a Premier League club that was in the Championship last season, and to get straight back into the Prem is a big thing,” Wood told the club website.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s always been an attractive club,” the 22-year old added. “Obviously the style of football is a big thing, the coaching is a big thing, and it’s a step up in leagues for me as well. It’s a no-brainer really … an easy decision to make.”
“Nathan is a player I know and trust from our time together at Swansea, and someone I also tried to sign in my first job at MK Dons. He’s a top defender with tremendous physical qualities, great pace and calmness on the ball.”
Southampton have also brought in the left-back Charlie Taylor from Burnley and the Peterborough centre-back Ronnie Edwards from Football League clubs, while Adam Lallana has returned to his former club from Brighton on a free transfer.