Proud Parker wants Fulham manager’s job

Video: HaytersTV

Scott Parker praised Fulham’s players after the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea and made it clear he wants the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Parker, placed in caretaker charge following the Whites’ sacking of Claudio Ranieri, saw his relegation-threatened side push Chelsea all the way at Craven Cottage.

Parker restored Ryan Sessegnon to the starting line-up following a pep talk with the youngster, who was left out by Ranieri.

Parker revealed: “I said to him ‘I’ve been your age, at 18. Everything feels like it’s coming on top’.

“He’s probably had the weight on his shoulders the last few months because he hasn’t been playing well, and that’s the fact.

“The facts are he probably hasn’t been performing for a number of reasons.

“He’s playing in a tough league, not probably at it where he needs to be, and all of a sudden it feels daunting.

“I just tried to free him up today. I said to all of them ‘I don’t care what mistakes you make’ and that was my message to Sess, really.”