Parker did not have the easiest time replacing Vincent Kompany as Burnley's new manager. The former Bournemouth boss arrived relatively late into pre-season with Burnley undergoing another season of squad upheaval, with a number of stars like Sander Berge moving on.
Regardless, Parker led Burnley to a pair of eye-catching victories in his first two Championship games in charge, thumping Luton Town 4-1 on the road before beating Cardiff City 5-0 at home. The wheels appeared to be coming off with a 1-0 loss away to Sunderland next, amid a torrent of transfer speculation, with a patched-up side falling to a narrow defeat at the Stadium of Light.
But with reinforcements such as former Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall and ex-Stoke City skipper Josh Laurent brought in to add seniority, Burnley bounced back from that first loss of the season to go on an unbeaten run to move firmly into the promotion picture under Parker.
Getting back to the Premier League is a must, though, and the Championship is competitive. Should Parker be shown the door - or leave for other opportunities - who could replace him? There are no next Burnley manager odds available yet, but here are some potential contenders.
Cork's last contract with Burnley came to an end in the summer of 2024, but he transitioned into a coaching role with the club's development squad and is still registered as a player.
The midfielder made over 200 appearances across two spells with Burnley, as well as picking up an England cap, and all eyes will be on how he adapts at the start of his coaching career. In the event of a sudden Parker departure Cork would for sure be an obvious internal replacement.
Parker's former international team-mate could be one to watch as he was strongly linked with the vacancy in the wake of Kompany's surprise appointment by German giants Bayern Munich.
Lampard remains out of work and has experience of working in the Championship after starting his coaching career with Derby County, where he used his contacts to bring in some loan stars. Derby reached the play-offs under Lampard's leadership, but lost out to Aston Villa in the final.
But two spells as a manager at Chelsea have indicated a lack of tactical acumen for Lampard, and he needs to get back on track. Would Burnley be the right fit for him to rebuild his reputation as a manager?
Lampard was listed among the favourites in the next Burnley manager betting the last time the job came up so it would be no surprise were he to be among the names in the running again.
Another ex-England international who was said to be in contention when Kompany left Burnley at the end of the 2023-24 season was Cole, who is working under Lee Carsley with England.
Cole previously worked with Wayne Rooney during the former striker's time in charge of the Blues and he likely sees himself stepping up to take a top job somewhere at some point soon.
But having been given a full-time role with the FA, Cole is potentially seen as a future England manager having been given a chance to work his way through that coaching pathway.
Rosenior was linked with a string of Championship jobs after he was surprisingly released by Hull City, but he was instead appointed as the new head coach of the Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
Rosenior made a strong start to life in France, with an impressive 1-0 win at home to Roberto de Zerbi's Marseille in the opening weeks, but a return to English football could be appealing.
Along with Cork, Burnley coach Jackson would be a possible internal replacement for Parker. When Sean Dyche was sacked by Burnley a couple of years ago, it was Jackson who was asked to take charge of the club on a temporary basis until the end of that league season.
Jackson initially oversaw an upturn in results but was unable to stop the Clarets from slipping into the second tier and he then reverted to his post as a coach under Kompany and Parker. Well-liked and respected at the club, Jackson's previous posts as a first-team manager were at Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere Rovers, so landing the Burnley job would be a very big jump.
Manager | From | To |
---|---|---|
Scott Parker | 1 July 2024 | Current manager |
Vincent Kompany | 14 June 2022 | 30 June 2024 |
Michael Jackson | 15 April 2022 | 14 June 2022 |
Sean Dyche | 30 October 2012 | 15 April 2022 |
Terry Pashley | 13 October 2012 | 30 October 2012 |
Eddie Howe | 16 January 2011 | 12 October 2012 |
Stuart Gray | 29 December 2010 | 16 January 2011 |
Brian Laws | 13 January 2010 | 29 December 2010 |
Steve Davis | 7 January 2010 | 13 January 2010 |
Owen Coyle | 22 November 2007 | 7 January 2010 |
Steve Davis | 8 November 2007 | 22 November 2007 |
Steve Cotterill | 3 June 2004 | 8 November 2007 |
Stan Ternent | 2 June 1998 | 3 June 2004 |