HARRY Redknapp admitted he was “shocked” to see Cherries part company with Scott Parker and added: “Obviously there’s problems behind the scenes.”

The Dorset club announced Parker had left Vitality Stadium after just four games of the new Premier League season, following Saturday’s 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.

The former England midfielder has repeatedly stressed the need for the club to bring in new players, stating they were “unequipped” for the top flight after promotion last season.

Asked how he would have dealt with the situation, former Cherries boss Redknapp told talkSPORT: “Back in the day I’d have dealt with it like he did I’m afraid – I’d have got the sack as well!

“I’d have come out and said ‘it ain’t good enough, unless we get some players in we ain’t going to stay in this league’.

“When I saw those comments coming out I thought ‘Scotty, I am now older and wiser, perhaps this isn’t the thing to say. This isn’t going to do you any good’.

“You’ve got to be so careful with what you say now, with directors.”

Giving his initial reaction to the dismissal, Redknapp replied: “I am very, very shocked. I didn’t see it coming.

“Scott has come out in the press the last few days or weeks and said he doesn’t really feel he’s had the backing and quite rightly so.

“They really are well short of being strong enough to survive this year I think in the Premier League. It’s going to be a very difficult season.

“He was looking to bring maybe another two or three players in to give them a chance of staying up.

“He’s come out and said it and maybe the board are not happy with it, so I am very surprised.

“You look at the games. Aston Villa at home and they got a great result and then they have played three of the best teams, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

“It looks like they are not happy with the statements and the comments that he’s made. Obviously they are upset with it and they have decided to make a change.

“I certainly didn’t see it coming four games into the season.

“Obviously there’s problems behind the scenes and they’ve decided to make a change.”

First-team coach Gary O’Neil is set to take charge of tomorrow’s home clash with Wolves, assisted by Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick.