Parker sacked by Club Brugge after Champions League humbling

Scott Parker has been sacked as manager of Club Brugge after only 12 games, following Tuesday night's 5-1 thrashing at Benfica.

Parker won just twice in his brief time in charge of the Belgian champions, a run that has seen them drop 19 points off league leaders Genk

The final straw proved to be Tuesday's Champions League last-16 defeat in Lisbon, which saw them knocked out of the competition 7-1 on aggregate.

Parker told reporters after the game: "For me it's been challenging, but the players have been brilliant and wanting to do everything they can to turn this around.

"I understand people now doubt (me), I'm not naive enough to not (think that). All I can say is that I'm trying to turn this around and create a team that will start winning again."

Asked if he would stay in charge following the loss, Parker said: "You are asking the wrong person."

Parker's position had already come under severe strain following Friday's 3-0 reverse to relegation-threatened side Oostende, a low point in Club Brugge's season barely half a year since they lifted the Belgian Pro League trophy