Scott Parker has been sacked as Bournemouth head coach, the Premier League club have announced. PA
Scott Parker has been sacked as Bournemouth head coach, the Premier League club have announced. PA
Scott Parker has been sacked as Bournemouth head coach, the Premier League club have announced. PA
Scott Parker has been sacked as Bournemouth head coach, the Premier League club have announced. PA

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Football

Scott Parker sacked by Bournemouth days after Liverpool thrashing

Saturday's 9-0 defeat away to Liverpool - the joint heaviest defeat in Premier League history - proved to be final straw

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

August 30, 2022

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Scott Parker has been relieved of his position as Bournemouth manager following a disappointing start to life back in the Premier League.

Saturday's 9-0 defeat away to Liverpool - the joint heaviest defeat in Premier League history - proved to be the final straw.

Bournemouth co-owner Maxim Demin said: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to Scott and his team for their efforts during their time with us.

“Our promotion back to the Premier League last season under his tenure will always be remembered as one of the most successful seasons in our history.

“However, in order for us to keep progressing as a team and a club as a whole, it is unconditional that we are aligned in our strategy to run the club sustainably.

“We must also show belief in and respect for one another. That is the approach that has brought this club so much success in recent history, and one that we will not veer from now. Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately.”

Gary O’Neil will take interim charge of the first team, assisted by Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick.

Parker, 41, guided the Cherries back to the Premier League this season courtesy of a second-place finish in the Championship.

They won their opening fixture against Aston Villa but followed that up with heavy losses to Manchester City and Arsenal before the weekend annihilation at Anfield.

Bournemouth are currently 17th in the league table and host Wolves on Wednesday.

Liverpool v Bournemouth ratings

  • LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. The Brazilian had little to do as the action was concentrated at the other end. He was watchful on Bournemouth’s rare forays and was never worried. EPA
    LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. The Brazilian had little to do as the action was concentrated at the other end. He was watchful on Bournemouth’s rare forays and was never worried. EPA
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8. The 23-year-old was in his element. He was hardly asked to defend and scored a stunning long-range effort. His cross forced Mepham into putting the ball into his own net. Clark replaced him with seven minutes left. EPA
    Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8. The 23-year-old was in his element. He was hardly asked to defend and scored a stunning long-range effort. His cross forced Mepham into putting the ball into his own net. Clark replaced him with seven minutes left. EPA
  • Joe Gomez - 7. The 25-year-old barely worked up a sweat. He had one dubious moment when he dwelt on the ball but he was able to spark attacks by stepping forward and picking his passes. AP
    Joe Gomez - 7. The 25-year-old barely worked up a sweat. He had one dubious moment when he dwelt on the ball but he was able to spark attacks by stepping forward and picking his passes. AP
  • Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman was unruffled by the physical threat of Moore. He was the essence of calm and powered home his team’s fifth goal from a corner. AFP
    Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman was unruffled by the physical threat of Moore. He was the essence of calm and powered home his team’s fifth goal from a corner. AFP
  • Andy Robertson - 7. The Scot showed signs that his relationship with Diaz is beginning to gel. He got up and down the pitch, supplied the corner for Van Dijk’s goal and headed a chance over before making way for Tsimikas in the 69th minute. Getty
    Andy Robertson - 7. The Scot showed signs that his relationship with Diaz is beginning to gel. He got up and down the pitch, supplied the corner for Van Dijk’s goal and headed a chance over before making way for Tsimikas in the 69th minute. Getty
  • Harvey Elliott - 7. The 19-year-old scored his first Premier League goal with an excellent first-time shot from the edge of the box. His passing was clever and he was a constant danger to the defence. Carvalho replaced him at half time. EPA
    Harvey Elliott - 7. The 19-year-old scored his first Premier League goal with an excellent first-time shot from the edge of the box. His passing was clever and he was a constant danger to the defence. Carvalho replaced him at half time. EPA
  • Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was close to his best, albeit against inferior opposition. He set the game’s tempo and won the ball at will in midfield. Getty
    Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was close to his best, albeit against inferior opposition. He set the game’s tempo and won the ball at will in midfield. Getty
  • Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain sat deep and had a relatively easy afternoon against a toothless Bournemouth midfield. He was relaxed and efficient until making way for Bajcetic in the 70th minute. EPA
    Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain sat deep and had a relatively easy afternoon against a toothless Bournemouth midfield. He was relaxed and efficient until making way for Bajcetic in the 70th minute. EPA
  • Mohamed Salah - 7. Nine goals and none for the Egyptian? It’s hard to believe but the striker played his part, worrying the defence with his movement and pace. He missed a couple of good chances and, had he been clinical, Liverpool might have hit double figures. AFP
    Mohamed Salah - 7. Nine goals and none for the Egyptian? It’s hard to believe but the striker played his part, worrying the defence with his movement and pace. He missed a couple of good chances and, had he been clinical, Liverpool might have hit double figures. AFP
  • Roberto Firmino - 9. The Brazilian has been under fire but he answered his critics with aplomb, setting up three goals and scoring two while giving a masterclass of link play. He received a deserved ovation when Milner came on for him in the 69th minute. EPA
    Roberto Firmino - 9. The Brazilian has been under fire but he answered his critics with aplomb, setting up three goals and scoring two while giving a masterclass of link play. He received a deserved ovation when Milner came on for him in the 69th minute. EPA
  • Luis Diaz - 9. The Colombian scored twice and menaced the defence. Even better for Liverpool, he seems to be developing an understanding with Robertson on the left. AP
    Luis Diaz - 9. The Colombian scored twice and menaced the defence. Even better for Liverpool, he seems to be developing an understanding with Robertson on the left. AP
  • SUBS: Fabio Carvalho ( Elliott, half time) - 8. The 19-year-old came in the break and relished his opportunity. He scored a splendid goal and brought renewed energy to the press. Reuters
    SUBS: Fabio Carvalho ( Elliott, half time) - 8. The 19-year-old came in the break and relished his opportunity. He scored a splendid goal and brought renewed energy to the press. Reuters
  • Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson, 70) - 7. The 17-year-old made his debut. He did not look out of place. AFP
    Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson, 70) - 7. The 17-year-old made his debut. He did not look out of place. AFP
  • James Milner (Firmino, 69) - 7. The 36-year-old played in the midfield before moving to right back. He was secure wherever he was needed. Reuters
    James Milner (Firmino, 69) - 7. The 36-year-old played in the midfield before moving to right back. He was secure wherever he was needed. Reuters
  • Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson, 69) - 8. Set up Carvalho and Diaz’s goals. It was fair reward for a typically energetic display. Bobby Clark (Alexander-Arnold, 83) - 7. The 17-year-old could not have had a more comfortable debut. Getty
    Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson, 69) - 8. Set up Carvalho and Diaz’s goals. It was fair reward for a typically energetic display. Bobby Clark (Alexander-Arnold, 83) - 7. The 17-year-old could not have had a more comfortable debut. Getty
  • BOURNEMOUTH RATINGS: Mark Travers - 3. The Irishman could not be blamed for any of the goals but suffered a serious case of guilt by association. He made some good saves but the scoreboard makes grim reading. EPA
    BOURNEMOUTH RATINGS: Mark Travers - 3. The Irishman could not be blamed for any of the goals but suffered a serious case of guilt by association. He made some good saves but the scoreboard makes grim reading. EPA
  • Adam Smith - 1. The 31-year-old looked lost. He rarely got close to an opponent and when he did he was booked for a rash challenge on Henderson – his fourth successive Premier League game with a yellow card. It was no surprise when he was withdrawn at half time for Solanke. AFP
    Adam Smith - 1. The 31-year-old looked lost. He rarely got close to an opponent and when he did he was booked for a rash challenge on Henderson – his fourth successive Premier League game with a yellow card. It was no surprise when he was withdrawn at half time for Solanke. AFP
  • Chris Mepham - 2. The 24-year-old put the ball into his own net and could have done much better on a clutch of the other goals. An awful afternoon ended when he was taken off for Bevan with eight minutes to go. EPA
    Chris Mepham - 2. The 24-year-old put the ball into his own net and could have done much better on a clutch of the other goals. An awful afternoon ended when he was taken off for Bevan with eight minutes to go. EPA
  • Marcos Senesi - 1. The Argentinian is enduring a baptism of fire in the Premier League. His all-round play was inept but allowing Alexander-Arnold to advance and score at will was a low point on a grim day. AFP
    Marcos Senesi - 1. The Argentinian is enduring a baptism of fire in the Premier League. His all-round play was inept but allowing Alexander-Arnold to advance and score at will was a low point on a grim day. AFP
  • Jordan Zemura - 2. Salah did not score but that was not down to the 22-year-old. His positioning was poor and Liverpool swarmed down his wing. Getty
    Jordan Zemura - 2. Salah did not score but that was not down to the 22-year-old. His positioning was poor and Liverpool swarmed down his wing. Getty
  • Lewis Cook - 3. The 25-year-old worked hard but it was an object lesson in pointless running. He was nothing more than a minor irritant to Liverpool and was withdrawn for Pearson with 13 minutes to go. AFP
    Lewis Cook - 3. The 25-year-old worked hard but it was an object lesson in pointless running. He was nothing more than a minor irritant to Liverpool and was withdrawn for Pearson with 13 minutes to go. AFP
  • Jefferson Lerma - 3. The Colombian was overrun early and could not stem the tide of red attacks. He was static and could not work out how to stop the rout. EPA
    Jefferson Lerma - 3. The Colombian was overrun early and could not stem the tide of red attacks. He was static and could not work out how to stop the rout. EPA
  • Marcus Tavernier - 3. The 23-year-old tried to get on the ball but made scant impact. He was another who was out of his depth at Anfield. EPA
    Marcus Tavernier - 3. The 23-year-old tried to get on the ball but made scant impact. He was another who was out of his depth at Anfield. EPA
  • Ryan Christie - 3. The Scot was taken off at half time for Billing. He was clearly upset with his defenders but his own performance was less than sparkling. EPA
    Ryan Christie - 3. The Scot was taken off at half time for Billing. He was clearly upset with his defenders but his own performance was less than sparkling. EPA
  • Kieffer Moore - 4. The Welshman was isolated and had to drop deep in search of the ball. That made him less effective but he put in plenty of effort on a frustrating day. AFP
    Kieffer Moore - 4. The Welshman was isolated and had to drop deep in search of the ball. That made him less effective but he put in plenty of effort on a frustrating day. AFP
  • Jaidon Anthony - 3. The 22-year-old will not recall his full Premier League debut with affection. He got lost in the Liverpool maelstrom. AFP
    Jaidon Anthony - 3. The 22-year-old will not recall his full Premier League debut with affection. He got lost in the Liverpool maelstrom. AFP
  • SUBS: Dominic Solanke (Smith, half time) - 3. The 24-year-old did not appear to be fully fit. He would probably have been better off to remain on the bench. AFP
    SUBS: Dominic Solanke (Smith, half time) - 3. The 24-year-old did not appear to be fully fit. He would probably have been better off to remain on the bench. AFP
  • Philip Billing (Christie, half time) - 4. The Dane offered a slight improvement. He was more effective in the air. Owen Bevan (Mepham, 82) - 4. The 18-year-old had the thankless task. He will have more rewarding games. Reuters
    Philip Billing (Christie, half time) - 4. The Dane offered a slight improvement. He was more effective in the air. Owen Bevan (Mepham, 82) - 4. The 18-year-old had the thankless task. He will have more rewarding games. Reuters
  • Emiliano Marcondes (Pearson, 82) - 3. Joined the action when Pearson was injured. It was his first taste of Premier League action and he will hope it is not always like this. Ben Pearson (Cook, 77) - 2. The 27-year-old lasted five minutes before picking up an injury and being replaced by Marcondes. PA
    Emiliano Marcondes (Pearson, 82) - 3. Joined the action when Pearson was injured. It was his first taste of Premier League action and he will hope it is not always like this. Ben Pearson (Cook, 77) - 2. The 27-year-old lasted five minutes before picking up an injury and being replaced by Marcondes. PA
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

While you're here

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'

Director: Jason Reitman

Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace

Rating: 2/5

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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

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Updated: August 30, 2022, 5:22 PM
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