West Ham have sacked Nuno Espírito Santo after a second successive home defeat, turning to Scott Parker in a bid to revive their automatic promotion hopes. The club sit eighth in the Championship, four points behind the top two.
Nuno took charge after replacing Graham Potter in September 2025. In 33 games, he was unable to keep West Ham from relegation, and the team have struggled to meet expectations as title contenders. Their recent record includes two wins in six matches, while they have often made their strongest impact only after falling behind.
The decision followed a disappointing performance against West Brom. West Ham had also lost 3-2 to Southampton the previous week, a match attended by club owner Daniel Kretinsky. Nuno’s approach and team selections had drawn criticism, with concerns that the side lacked a clear identity and adequate protection for its defence.
Parker takes over with a record of winning promotion with Bournemouth, Burnley and Fulham. The former England midfielder has been without a club since leaving Burnley last April and has previously been considered for the West Ham job. He also played for the club and experienced relegation with them in 2011.
There are several issues for Parker to address, including the midfield balance and the team’s defensive protection. The club may also need to assess its summer signings, while recruitment head Nils Koppen is expected to be active in January. West Ham’s three strikers signed under Nuno have scored five league goals between them this season.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.