TENSIONS are rising at Fulham with the ownership unhappy with Scott Parker telling the media he had not spoken to them after relegation.
The Cottagers were relegated on Monday after a 2-0 home defeat to Burnley.
It is understood owner Shahid Khan and his son Tony Khan, the club’s director of football, did not get in contact straight after Fulham’s fate was sealed because they were so angry with the team’s demise.
They felt Parker’s side had put themselves within a good chance of staying up with the 1-0 win at Liverpool on March 7.
But that was followed by six defeats in seven which they perceived to be crashing out of the top flight with a whimper.
Sources claim messages were sent to Parker via CEO Alistair Mackintosh and that planning for life in the Championship had begun.
Parker said yesterday: “I’ve not spoken to Tony or the ownership. Not had that conversation yet.”
The 40-year-old also told the press he was expecting some home truths to be told in an end-of-season review with the club’s decision makers over how to improve going forward.
He said: “We need to have honest conversations that all of us at some moments might not like.
“But they’re conversations that need to happen for us to get better as a football club.”
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Parker still has two years remaining on his contract but has been linked to the recent vacancy at Tottenham.
SunSport understands Fulham are keen to keep the ex-West Ham captain as boss as they favour stability.
Parker has spoken publicly of his desire to build a culture at the West Londoners – and claimed the over-reliance on loan players makes it hard to do that.
Fulham borrowed seven first-team regulars this season.
Parker was happy with their performances but is now facing the prospect of a rebuild this summer when they all leave – should he himself stick around.
He said: “The loan system is something we’ve used consistently with six or seven loans every year.
“That makes it a bit harder because obviously the team gets changed the following season.
“I’m a firm believer of culture. I want to develop a culture at the football club and to do that there needs to be consistency, and loans don’t give you that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
