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Burnley have confirmed the exit of head coach Scott Parker in a move described as being reached "by mutual consent."
The experienced Championship promotion specialist once again struggled to make an impact in the Premier League. The Clarets began their return to the top flight with some promise before suffering a rapid downturn in form. Just a single victory since October has left Burnley rooted in 19th place for 22 straight weeks.
With Wolverhampton Wanderers showing signs of improvement, there is a genuine chance that Burnley could finish the season at the very foot of the table.
Once relegation was officially confirmed following last week's loss to Manchester City, Burnley's board entered into talks with Parker about his future. As the club announced on Thursday, those discussions concluded with the former England international's departure.
"The Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Scott for his professionalism, dedication and contribution," a statement read. "He leaves with the respect and gratitude of everyone connected with Burnley Football Club."
Burnley also confirmed that Mike Jackson would return in a caretaker capacity for the club's remaining four league matches. Jackson stepped in as temporary boss at Turf Moor in April 2022 following Sean Dyche's departure, guiding the side to 10 points from four games and earning the Premier League manager of the month accolade.
Jackson would need an even more remarkable run of results to put himself in contention for the permanent role. Steven Gerrard, however, appears to be the frontrunner at this stage.
Steven Gerrard Tipped for Managerial Return
Gerrard was reportedly "of interest" to Burnley's ownership group even before the decision to part ways with Parker was finalised. Now that his fellow Englishman has been shown the door, the Daily Mail reports that the retired England skipper is the "favorite" for the available role.
It has been 15 months since Gerrard last held a managerial position, following an uncomfortable spell in the Saudi Pro League with Al Ettifaq. The former Liverpool midfielder's only prior experience managing in English football came during an 11-month tenure at Aston Villa.
Gerrard guided the Midlands club to a 14th-place finish in the 2021–22 season before performances deteriorated sharply in his second campaign. Villa parted ways with their legendary coach just eight matches into the next season. Unai Emery took over and orchestrated a stunning rise with a comparable squad, transforming the club into a regular Champions League contender.
Burnley's future Championship rivals Bristol City have also been linked with a move for Gerrard, who is said to be eager to get back into management. Having seen his former international teammate Frank Lampard find success in England's second division with Coventry City, Gerrard may be looking to follow a similar path next season.