The much sought after manager Bruce Parker has decided to leave Blackpool with Portugal his destination. He will join mid-table second division side Uniao Desportiva de Leiria to take on the task of returning them to one of Europe\u2019s top leagues. It has been a turbulent recent history for the team who are yet to return to the top division since their relegation in 2012. Seven years in the Portuguese third tier saw them finally promoted in 2019 and currently sit mid-table. Leiria had parted ways with their former coach and decided that, like many other sides, Parker was the man for them.<\/p>\n
It is a sideways step for the young Dutch manager as currently Leiria and Blackpool are in a similar reputation league. If however he can quickly turn the fortunes of the former top division side and return them to Liga Nos then he will be fast tracked to one of Europe\u2019s elite leagues. Following promotion to League One last season and with only six months remaining on his contract, Parker leaves Blackpool safely in mid-table and with the club’s first silverware in a number of years. His record at Blackpool was good, avoiding defeat in over 70% of his games.<\/p>\n