West Ham Sack Nuno Espírito Santo, Set to Appoint Scott Parker

West Ham United have dismissed Nuno Espírito Santo, and former Hammers midfielder Scott Parker is reportedly set to take over as the club tries to bounce straight back to the Premier League.

Why Nuno Was Sacked

The club announced Nuno's departure with immediate effect on Tuesday, after West Ham lost back-to-back Championship matches to Southampton and West Brom. The timing surprised some observers given West Ham's overall position — third in the table — but the pattern of results, combined with Nuno's larger body of work at the club, proved decisive.

Nuno took charge at West Ham in September 2025, replacing Graham Potter, who had been fired just five games into the Premier League season. Nuno couldn't turn things around: West Ham were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the 2025-26 season, dropping into the Championship for the first time in over a decade. Results this season had been uneven, and successive losses were enough to end his tenure barely over a year after he arrived.

Scott Parker's Managerial Background

Scott Parker is the heavy favorite to replace him. Sky Sports reports discussions between Parker and West Ham are at an advanced stage, though the club has not confirmed an appointment and some reports describing a done deal haven't been corroborated elsewhere.

Parker has deep roots at the club: he made 129 appearances for West Ham as a player between 2007 and 2011. As a manager, he has bounced between jobs with mixed results, most recently taking charge of Burnley, who went down from the Premier League at the end of the 2025-26 season — the same campaign in which West Ham were also relegated. Parker was dismissed once Burnley's relegation was confirmed. He previously managed Fulham and Bournemouth earlier in his coaching career. Reports also suggest Mark Noble, another West Ham academy product and club legend, could join Parker's staff as an assistant.

Where West Ham Stand

Despite the managerial upheaval, West Ham's Championship season has actually started reasonably well. At the time of Nuno's exit, they sat third in the table on 22 points from 12 games, just three points behind leaders Middlesbrough and one behind second-placed Swansea City. The division is a long way from settled this early, but West Ham are firmly in the promotion conversation — which is precisely why ending a losing run quickly matters so much to the board.

What's Next

West Ham have not commented publicly on Parker beyond acknowledging a head coach search is underway, and the club says it won't make further statements until an appointment is finalized. For a fanbase that endured relegation last season, the hope is straightforward: a manager who knows the club, understands the pressure of West Ham's returning support, and can push the Hammers straight back to the top flight.

For more on how promotion and relegation work between the Premier League and Championship, see our explainer on Premier League relegation. Follow the managerial fallout and the rest of the season in our soccer coverage.

More from ForTheFans

• Ronaldo Cleared to Return for Portugal After 30-Day Suspension for Walking Out
• Ronaldo Beats Messi in Fan Vote for the Greatest Ballon d'Or of All Time
• Ballon d'Or 2026 Results: Harry Kane Wins, Putellas Claims Third Title
• NWSL Drops the 'Rodman Rule' Restrictions: What the High Impact Player Change Means
• MotoGP Australian GP 2026: Bezzecchi Leads Aprilia as Marquez and Martin Fight for the Title
• Manchester United in Crisis: Will Carrick Drop Bruno Fernandes After the Como Defeat?
• Formula E Gen4: Ticktum Joins Fortescue Zero as Series Invites Verstappen to Drive Its Fastest Car