Door to English manager job opens for ex Rangers and Celtic figures as they're targeted for new role
A Premier League side have parted ways with their current boss
Burnley have confirmed that Scott Parker has left his role as manager at Turf Moor - leaving the door open for ex Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and former Celtic winger Craig Bellamy to fill the vacancy.
It’s been a tough season back in the Premier League for the Clarets, whose relegation was confirmed last week. Parker has in turn left the club by way of mutual consent. Burnley have now been relegated and promoted twice in the past four years and coach Michael Jackson will take charge of interim duties until the end of the season.
Given their record of going up and down in consecutive seasons, if recent history repeats itself, the Lancashire side will be one of the frontrunners for promotion next year. With the Premier League carrot dangling at Turf Moor, several potential suitors are already in contention for the role, including Gerrard and Bellamy.
Ex Rangers and Celtic men in running for Burnley top job
Gerrard was the last Rangers manager to lift the SPFL Premiership trophy. His last job in the UK management was an unsuccessful spell at Aston Villa before moving to Al-Ettifaq. His two year stint in Saudi Arabia ended in January 2025 and he has since more often been seen as a pundit on TNT Sports. Whether or not the Liverpool legend himself wants to return to management after a year-long hiatus is another matter. He turned down the opportunity to return to Rangers in October following the dismissal of Russell Martin.
Bellamy spent half a season on loan at Celtic from Newcastle United in 2005 and has more recently been linked with the Hoops top job for when Martin O’Neill leaves in the summer. However, the current Wales National Team boss also has a history with Burnley, where he spent two years as a coach under manager Vincent Kompany. The 46-year old narrowly lost out on qualifying for the World Cup witth Wales, where he is contracted until 2028. Elsewhere, recently-dismissed Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior and Manchester United hero Ole Gunnar Solksjaer have been mentioned
Burnley statement on Parker departure
A club statement read: “Scott Parker has left his position as Head Coach of Burnley Football Club by mutual consent. Following confirmation of the Club's relegation from the Premier League last week, Parker and the Board held discussions and mutually agreed that his time at Turf Moor would conclude. During his tenure at Turf Moor, Parker guided the Clarets to a record-breaking season in the 2024/25 campaign, securing Burnley promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, with a 33-match unbeaten run, keeping a remarkable 30 clean sheets.
“The Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Scott for his professionalism, dedication and contribution. He leaves with the respect and gratitude of everyone connected with Burnley Football Club. Mike Jackson, supported by the existing backroom staff, will take interim charge for the Clarets' remaining four Premier League fixtures, beginning with Friday's match away to Leeds United. The process of appointing a new permanent Head Coach ahead of the 2026/27 season has begun.”
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