Football League World
·15. November 2024
Football League World
·15. November 2024
FLW's Burnley fan pundit has given his verdict on the potential appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy
Scott Parker’s position as Burnley manager could be under pressure in the coming weeks.
The 44-year-old was appointed during the summer, but it was almost Ruud van Nistelrooy that took charge of the first team squad.
It was reported by Sacha Tovolieri that the Dutchman was in the frame to take over after Vincent Kompany’s departure.
However, he made the decision to join Manchester United as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff instead.
But the former PSV Eindhoven manager is now available once again after departing Old Trafford earlier this week, with The Sun reporting that the Championship side are still interested in appointing him if Parker departs.
When asked about the possibility of Alan Pace appointing Van Nistelrooy to replace Parker, FLW’s Burnley fan pundit Ben Livingstone claimed that he would back that decision.
While he’s uncertain a move will be made anytime soon, he has claimed that Parker will be under pressure to get results in the coming weeks due to how poor their recent performances have been.
“Personally, I’d love Ruud van Nistelrooy to become the next Burnley manager,” Livingstone told Football League World.
“Could I see Pace sacking Parker? Not at this current time, although I do think he will be under pressure in terms of both Pace and Parker.
“The fans will put Pace under pressure, and then Pace will put Parker under pressure, and I think it’s a very, very strange time.
“Because we do sit very favourably in the league in fourth, but the football is horrendous, it’s not sustainable.
“And I would back that call to sack Parker and get Van Nistelrooy.
“Personally, I don’t think Van Nistelrooy will come to the Championship, I think a side like Leicester City will be in for him, some other Premier League side.
“But we were interested in the summer, and I think we would’ve appointed him had he not gone to Manchester United.
“So I think it’s definitely something there that Burnley would want him.
“But whether they make the call to get rid of Parker so soon, I’m not so sure.”
Parker has overseen just 16 games since being appointed Burnley manager in the summer.
The Lancashire outfit have won seven of those fixtures, drawing six and losing only three, with the team sitting fourth in the table.
The gap to the automatic promotion places is just four points after 15 games, with Leeds United, Sheffield United and Sunderland the only clubs ahead of them.
Next up for Burnley is a clash away to Bristol City on 23 November.
Van Nistelrooy would’ve been an ambitious appointment in the summer if they had been able to get it over the line.
That he is now back on the market so soon could prove a lucky break, if he is willing to take the step down to the Championship.
The Dutchman is a capable manager with top flight experience, and an Eredivisie title win on his CV.
This will put pressure on Parker to turn things around quickly, otherwise it will make sense for Burnley to potentially pursue this change in the dugout.