Sunday, December 22, 2024

Ex-England star, 43, shows off new ‘Serie A look’ as he takes charge of EFL side

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IT’S not often a title is decided on the first day of the season.

And it’s even more unusual for fans to claim a manager has been “Benjamin Buttoned” by a suave counterpart!

Fans claimed the former Chelsea and Spurs manager looked like boss of 'Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Parma all in one'

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Fans claimed the former Chelsea and Spurs manager looked like boss of ‘Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Parma all in one’Credit: Getty
And his sharp new look appeared to have brought his team luck

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And his sharp new look appeared to have brought his team luckCredit: Reuters
Some even claimed he was engaged in a 'most handsome manager' contest, with Luton's Rob Edwards in the opposition dugout

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Some even claimed he was engaged in a ‘most handsome manager’ contest, with Luton’s Rob Edwards in the opposition dugoutCredit: Getty
Dara O’Shea enjoyed netting in a 4-1 win

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Dara O’Shea enjoyed netting in a 4-1 winCredit: PA

But that’s what’s happened at Kenilworth Road as Burnley thrashed Luton 4-1 in a battle of two relegated clubs chasing an instant return to the Premier League.

Viewers were dazzled by a new look for the debuting Clarets’ boss.

The former England, Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder was labelled as every inch a “Serie A manager”.

Scott Parker, 43, complemented long, swept-back hair with a smart blue bomber jacket, matching trousers and a red tie – knotted immaculately.

As for the title already won – some fans reckon it was an early shootout between Parker and Hatters’ chief Rob Edwards.

But not for the Championship crown – not on the pitch anyway…

One viewer posted: “Luton v Burnley unintentionally providing the most handsome manager head-to-head in Rob Edwards and Scott Parker.”

And the verdict appeared to go to Parker – perhaps via a penalty suit-out!

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One observer wrote: “Is Scott Parker actively trying to look like Tom Cruise?”

Others appeared to reckon the former Fulham boss now had uncanny similarities with Brentford‘s 50-year-old Danish manager.

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One claimed: “Looks like Thomas Frank has been Benjamin Buttoned.”

That’s a reference to the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where Brad Pitt plays a man who ages in reverse.

Another fan appeared even more shocked: “When the f*** did Scott Parker turn into Thomas Frank???”

A third reckoned the ex-West Ham star is now pitching himself as a combination of Thomas Frank and the lad from Topjaw”.

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Parker's hair and all-round image surprised many observers

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Parker’s hair and all-round image surprised many observersCredit: PA
Some likened Parker's look to Tom Cruise

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Some likened Parker’s look to Tom CruiseCredit: Reuters
Others said he looked like a younger version of Brentford's Thomas Frank

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Others said he looked like a younger version of Brentford’s Thomas FrankCredit: Getty
Last time he was in English football, Scott Parker had a much shorter trim

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Last time he was in English football, Scott Parker had a much shorter trimCredit: Getty

However. it was the nods to fashion in the Italian top-flight that struck a chord with viewers even better than clinical Burnley struck the back of the net at their probable promotion rivals.

One viewer said: “Scott Parker here simultaneously looking like every manager of Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Parma there has ever been.”

Another had a different geographical slant on the pressing matter.

He reckoned: “Scott Parker is the most ‘from the south’ looking person I’ve ever seen.”

However, after one game, only one team is north of Burnley in the Championship table.

Sheffield Wednesday sit top after beating Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth by the slightly better margin of 4-0.

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