As Fulham wait to confirm who will be their permanent manager for next season, one man will definitely not be assuming the Craven Cottage mantle – Arsene Wenger.
While the likes of Neil Lennon, Scott Wagner, and Steve Clarke have all been linked with the job in recent weeks, the ex-Arsenal boss this week emerged as an unlikely contender for the job.
Fulham fans will probably be baffled by the connection with the Frenchman, as Wenger has no Championship experience and likely little desire to manage in the second tier.
According to The Daily Mail, Fulham approached the 69-year-old to fill their vacancy, but he rejected the offer to manage in SW6.
The Frenchman has been out of a job since departing Arsenal at the end of last season, bringing to an end 22 years in charge of the north London club.
In most cases, a manager of his prestige and experience would be out of reach for a Championship club, although as an exception to the rule, Marcelo Bielsa took over at Leeds in the summer.
Nevertheless, Wenger, who was linked with a role at Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Arsenal, can be forgiven for turning down the Cottagers.
Fulham should instead be looking for a different calibre of manager. Chief among their targets should be Parker, the caretaker manager, who knows the current squad inside out and has elicited excellent performances from them this season.
If not the former England international, then an experienced Championship manager with a record of achieving promotion like Wagner must be prioritised.
However, to reach for a Premier League legend like Arsene Wenger is misguided. It leaves Fulham looking silly and naïve.
