Club Brugge fires coach Scott Parker after hitting Benfica

BRUSSELS: Belgian club Brugge sacked England manager Scott Parker on Wednesday after they were beaten 7-1 on aggregate by Benfica in the Champions League round of 16.

“Scott Parker is no longer the head coach of Club Brugge,” the club said on Twitter.

Parker, the former Fulham and Bournemouth manager, was surprisingly dismissed on December 31 but only lasted 12 games at Brugge.

The 5-1 defeat by Benfica on Tuesday, added to the 2-0 home defeat, ended his short stint.

Brugge, the 18-time champions, are currently fourth in Belgium’s first division, 21 points behind leaders Genk.

The club made their debut in the competition’s current format in the knockout stages of the Champions League. -AFP