'Be careful what you wish for' after Parker exit

[Getty Images]

The fourth paragraph down on the official press release confirming the departure of Scott Parker tells you everything about how much he is regarded by Burnley's board and chairman Alan Pace.

The prospect of even sitting down with this manager to discuss whether they can or should go on would have been unthinkable 12 months ago.

Parker has represented himself and the club impeccably during his time as manager and he was deeply admired and respected throughout the football club.

He once said to me in a pre-match news conference "let's be different" when asked about the criticism he was receiving from some supporters, which at times felt it was beyond what was responsible.

The football club has been trending this way for some time. Sean Dyche was sacked with the club in the Premier League's relegation zone. Vincent Kompany failed to keep them up. Parker joins the list - but this is not entirely on Scott.

The club's recruitment policy under Kompany failed. Highly successful loan players left following promotion and younger recruits with potential sell-on value were signed. And relegation followed.

They changed their approach under Parker. Loan players were signed with obligations to buy and they won promotion once again. Almost half of the money spent in the summer window this season were signings they were obliged to make. And relegation followed.

And now, for a third successive Championship campaign, they will go into a summer surrounded by uncertainty, needing a new manager and all the upheaval that brings.

Burnley wanted Kompany to stay and bring them back up, and before a ball was kicked this season the club would have wanted the same with Parker.

The Championship is littered with examples of mismanagement and poor decisions.

Look how quickly things have unravelled for Leicester City. How long is it since , , and played in the top flight? The list goes on.