Fulham boss Scott Parker believes that the challenge of managing through the coronavirus pandemic has “fast-tracked” his experience by several years.
Parker only entered management in February 2019, initially as interim boss at Craven Cottage before taking the role on a permanent basis, despite having been unable to stave off relegation from the Premier League.
His first full season in charge was interrupted by the coronavirus shutdown, but when the Championship campaign restarted, Parker led Fulham back into the top-flight at the first time of asking via the play-off final.
The pandemic left the west Londoners with little more than a month between that fixture and the start of the new Premier League season, but after a slow start Parker’s side have shown significant signs of improvement as they look to stay in the division.