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One EFL expert has spoken out on Scott Parker’s crowning as Championship Manager of the Year.
The EFL awards took place, which saw several surprises, particularly in the Championship.
Burnley supporters were left stunned about Josh Brownhill not being in the Team of the Year, whilst Championship fans were bemused at Gustavo Hamer winning the Championship Player of the Year accolade.
Another choice that sparked plenty of derision was Scott Parker being named as the Manager of the Year, a decision that one EFL expert has suggested doesn’t make sense.
EFL expert fumes at decision to hand Burnley’s Scott Parker Manager of the Year
The decision by the EFL to name Parker as the Manager of the Year sparked much debate, including from EFL expert Ryan Dilks, via the Second Tier Podcast, who named several coaches who had done a better job than the Burnley man, whether that be in the promotion race or by avoiding relegation.
“I don’t get it at all.” said Dilks. “I don’t get how, out of all the managers who have done brilliant jobs this season, Parker seems to have done the best.
“It’s not personal at all; it’s just me. If you’re looking at it from a pure common sense point of view, I don’t understand how he’s done a better job than Tom Cleverley, John Eustace, Regis Le Bris, Leam Manning, or Gary Rowett. For that matter, I don’t even look at it and think he’s done a better job than Daniel Farke. I think those two are on the same plane, really.”
Parker has guided Burnley to a return to the Championship, having only conceded a total of 15 goals, an astonishing record that currently stands at one conceded every three matches.
The Burnley man also has his side in the hunt for the Championship title with one game left to play, although they will have to better Leeds United’s score due to their superior goal difference.
- READ MORE: Portsmouth and Burnley duo picked out by EFL experts as ‘worthier winners’ for Championship awards
Scott Parker deserves more praise for Burnley job
Dilks certainly isn’t wrong to suggest several managers who have done a brilliant job this season, particualrly those overseeing sides in the lower echelons of the Championship table.
Often you see managers who do brilliantly to battle against relegation against the odds forgotted when it comes to accolades, but none of them can quite suggest they have matched the impact that Parker has had at Burnley.
Comparing the job he has done to Daniel Farke is also somewhat nonsensical when comparing the quality in the Leeds United side to any side in the Championship, let alone just the Burnley squad.