Scott Parker Tipped For Blackburn Role In Eyebrow-Raising Lancashire Move

Former Burnley boss Scott Parker is sensationally in the frame for the Blackburn job in a move that could raise eyebrows across Lancashire, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Rovers are on the hunt for a new boss after Michael O’Neill opted to continue juggling his role with Northern Ireland, forcing the Ewood Park hierarchy to look elsewhere for a long term leader.

And former England midfielder Parker has now emerged as a shock contender to take charge.

The Londoner has built a reputation as a promotion specialist, even if life in the top flight has proved far more brutal.

Blackburn only secured Championship safety last season under O’Neill, who inherited a side sitting 22nd and dragged them clear of danger. 

But uncertainty over his dual role has opened the door to change once again following the short lived Valerien Ismael era.

PREMIER LEAGUE EXILE

Rovers have not tasted Premier League football since 2012 and are desperate for a manager capable of ending that long exile.

Parker certainly fits the bill. The 44-year-old has achieved promotion from the Championship with three different clubs in Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley.

His most impressive feat came with the Clarets, where he stormed to promotion at the first attempt, setting a club record 33 game unbeaten run and keeping 30 clean sheets along the way.

But his Achilles heel has been keeping teams up. Parker parted company with Burnley by mutual consent in April after their relegation was confirmed, adding to a growing pattern in his managerial career.

PROMOTION MASTERMIND

At Fulham, he masterminded a play off final win over Brentford in 2020, only to see the Cottagers relegated the following season before departing in 2021.

It was a similar story at Bournemouth. He guided the Cherries to promotion, but endured a nightmare return to the Premier League and was brutally sacked just 25 days into the campaign after a humiliating 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.

That dismissal remains the earliest ever for a newly promoted Premier League manager.

Now Parker could be handed the chance to do it all over again.

And if Blackburn roll the dice, he will be targeting a remarkable fourth promotion to cement his reputation as the Championship’s ultimate escape artist.