FORMER Cherries boss Scott Parker has been linked with an almost immediate return to management, with French publication Foot Mercato reporting the former Fulham man is on the shortlist to take over at Ligue Un side Nice.

Dismissed following the record-equalling 9-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool, largely due to his defeatist comments in the press, Parker is approaching a month as a free agent.

Nice are reportedly looking to fire incumbent boss Lucien Favre, with the Eagles languishing in 13th place after eight games in the French top-flight.

Alongside their league duties, Nice are currently in the group stage of the UEFA Conference League, Europe's third tier of continental competition.

Favre, currently in his second stint at the Stade de Nice, is underfire for perceived poor performance following his return to the south of France this summer.

Former Tottenham and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino has been strongly linked in recent weeks, however, it appears the Argentinian would prefer to wait for a higher-profile job.

Whilst Nice have yet to make a final decision regarding Favre's future at Nice, their consultant, former Cardiff City and Crystal Palace sporting director Iain Moody, has reportedly placed Parker high on his shortlist for a replacement, according to Foot Mercato.

Although Favre is a far more experienced manager, approaching three decades as a boss, Parker's style of play is reminiscent of the veteran Swiss.

Describing Favre's Borrusia Monchengladbach side, author Christoph Biermann wrote in his book Football Hackers: "Gladbach were almost languid in possession and rarely counter-attacked...

"...he (Favre) wants his team to keep the ball until specific opportunities arise. Gladbach moved the ball slowly and cautiously at first, into areas that aren't really dangerous - to the flanks."

Whilst Parker seemed to make a distinct departures from his principles over the summer, seemingly taking Cherries into a more counter-attacking direction, there is overlap and similarities in the two manager's footballing styles, suggesting why Parker may be seen as a natural successor to Favre.