Tottenham Hotspur's mooted interest in Scott Parker is increasing, according to emerging reports this week...

What's the word?

Football Insider claimed that Spurs' former midfielder, who is now in charge of Championship-bound Fulham, is a potential candidate to replace Jose Mourinho in north London, with Daniel Levy hugely keen on bringing him back to the club.

Spurs have reportedly put the feelers out to gauge the 40-year-old's interest in the job, whilst the Lilywhites chairman is said to "think the world of" of him and is now pushing to secure him as his next manager.

Parker began his coaching career at Hotspur Way, taking charge of the under-18s in 2017 before making the switch to the Cottagers as first team coach under Slavisa Jokanovic. He was then promoted to the manager's job following the Serbian's departure, leading them to the Premier League last year.

Shades of Hoddle

Levy ought to be careful in his next appointment and there have to be major question marks over whether or not Parker is ready for this step up. Fulham are very likely to be going straight back down to the second tier, despite vast improvements in form and performances under the 40-year-old in recent months.

The Daily Mail waxed lyrical about how his 'defensive rebuild' had been key for the west London outfit. When they were relegated from the top flight last time, they had leaked a whopping 81 goals but now they're set to head down having conceded only 45 times so far - the second-fewest of any team below 11th.

Parker has even earned the praise of Pep Guardiola, who dubbed him "incredibly good", whilst ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson recently lauded him as "bright, young and intelligent", although he did suggest that the Fulham boss would be a "big gamble."

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A big gamble, indeed.

Levy should know all about appointing former players and how badly that can turn out. After sacking George Graham, he looked to Glenn Hoddle, who as a player was one of the best in his generation but delivered two seasons of pure underachievement as a manager.

Poor judgement and arrogance were two factors attributed to his downfall, according to The Guardian, whilst Levy himself claimed he was "very difficult" to work with.

That's not to say Parker is anything like this, because he's not, but it does go to show that a good player doesn't necessarily make a good manager.

The 40-year-old could probably benefit more from further time at Fulham, or at a 'bridging' club in between one being relegated and one challenging for Europe.

Hoddle's fatal reign as Tottenham manager should never tarnish his ability as a player but it probably did damage his reputation, and many in N17 may still have nightmares about his stint in the dugout.

The Spurs job is just too soon for Parker, and Levy must now look elsewhere for Mourinho's successor.

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