Slavisa Jokanovic says Scott Parker can guide Fulham to Premier League safety and will go on to have ‘a shiny future’ as one of England’s leading coaches.
The Serbian head coach, sacked by Fulham in 2018, has no hard feelings about his dismissal at Craven Cottage. Jokanovic, now in charge of Al Gharafa in Qatar, told the Daily Mail that he recognised the potential in Parker, having brought him back to Fulham as part of his backroom staff.
“I’m not crying or looking for some excuse. In modern football I have to respect the board for giving me an opportunity. Deep analysis is not necessary. I trust in myself. I trust in work not magic tricks. David Copperfield didn’t just appear in the club and perform magic. Fulham recognised that Scott was in some sort of trouble but they took a decision to trust in his good work. That work has put them in the position they are in now. I believe they can survive.”
“They are a team with great spirit. Scott has chosen the right way to play for survival and this year Fulham are a tough opponent for all clubs. On Saturday, Manchester City will have more quality than other teams but Fulham have enough games left to continue fighting.”
“When we played against City we lost 3-0. We didn’t challenge them enough, they won an easy game and I was really dissatisfied with how we lost to soft, naive goals. When we shook hands, Pep could see I wasn’t happy. He said “listen, where you are, at the Etihad and playing this way, you’re making the right choice.” He wanted to encourage me, to say I was playing the right way, and that I shouldn’t have a dilemma over it, that I just needed time to fix it.”
“When we put Scott on the staff he had not long finished his playing career and his professionalism was a great example to the players. He was always a great support. I’ve not kept in contact but followed him from a distance. I believe he has a shiny future in front of him, with or without Fulham.”
