West Ham appoint Scott Parker after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo

West Ham United have appointed Scott Parker as head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo, who was dismissed following a poor start to the Championship season. Parker, known for leading multiple clubs to Premier League promotion from the second tier, will make his debut against Cardiff City on Wednesday.

Quick Facts

West Ham sacked Nuno Espirito Santo
West Ham appointed Scott Parker as head coach
Loss 3–2 to Southampton at home
Loss 3–1 to West Bromwich Albion at home
Parker signed two-and-a-half-year contract

West Ham United have confirmed the appointment of Scott Parker as head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract, replacing Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked on Tuesday following a disappointing start to the Championship season. Parker, 46, played for West Ham from 2007 to 2012 and has a track record of leading clubs to promotion from the Championship: he guided Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley from the second tier to the Premier League. He has been out of work since April after leaving Burnley following their relegation from the top flight.

Nuno, who was appointed in September 2025, oversaw West Ham's relegation from the Premier League last season but was retained to lead the club's promotion push. Despite being viewed as favourites for automatic promotion, West Ham sat eighth in the Championship table with 13 games played, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough. The sacking followed back-to-back home defeats: a 3–2 loss to Southampton and a 3–1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, which saw the club drop from second place. Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa also departed the club.

Parker will take charge of his first match on Wednesday when West Ham travel to Cardiff City. He will be supported by first-team coaches Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville, and Billy Lepine, alongside Mark Noble, who serves as sporting director and remains a West Ham legend. Parker stated his intention to lead the club back to the Premier League and emphasised his experience escaping the Championship: "I've been in this division three times and I've got out of this division three times."

The appointment makes Parker West Ham's fourth permanent manager since David Moyes departed in May 2024. His predecessors Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter both lasted less than a year. West Ham have won two of their last six Championship matches. The club invested roughly £150 million in transfer revenue following relegation, including a Championship record £22 million on midfielder Arne Engels from Celtic and £12 million on winger Edvin Austbo.

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#Nuno Espirito Santo #manager appointment #championship #relegation #English Football League #football #promotion #West Ham United #Scott Parker

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Why This Matters

West Ham's managerial change affects the club's competitive standing in the English Championship: currently eighth place with 13 matches played and six points behind leaders Middlesbrough. The appointment of Parker, a manager with a record of three Championship-to-Premier League promotions, signals a shift in strategy following consecutive home defeats (3–2 to Southampton, 3–1 to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday) that saw the club drop from second place. Parker's first match is Wednesday at Cardiff City. This is West Ham's fourth permanent manager since May 2024, following departures of Lopetegui and Potter, each lasting less than a year. The club has invested approximately £150 million in transfer spending since relegation.

Timeline & Sources

Nov 1, 2026

Wire

West Ham lose 3–2 to Southampton at home

Nov 2, 2026

Wire

West Ham lose 3–1 to West Bromwich Albion at home; drop from second to eighth

Nov 3, 2026

Wire

West Ham sack Nuno Espirito Santo; Rui Pedro Silva and Rui Barbosa depart

Nov 4, 2026

Wire

West Ham confirm Scott Parker as new head coach on two-and-a-half-year contract