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West Ham United managerial change
West Ham United underwent a change in club leadership by replacing head coach Nuno Espírito Santo with Scott Parker.
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On November 4 at 19:21 UTC, West Ham United appointed former club captain Scott Parker as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Interim chief executive officer Karim Virani described the forty-six-year-old as the board's unanimous choice.
Parker returns to West Ham having previously made 129 appearances and won three Hammer of the Year awards between 2007 and 2011. He stated it was a proud moment to return to a club that means so much to him and his family, adding that he feels privileged to lead the push back to the Premier League.
Under Parker, the backroom staff will include first-team coaches Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville, and Billy Lepine, with sporting director Mark Noble also taking a hands-on role with the squad. Parker had been out of work since leaving Burnley by mutual consent in April following their relegation from the top flight, but has previously guided Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley to the Premier League.
How the story developed
Nuno Espírito Santo took charge of West Ham United thirteen months prior to his dismissal. During his tenure, he failed to save the club from relegation from the Premier League last season.
Despite the drop to the second tier, the club retained Nuno as head coach for the following campaign. The board provided significant financial backing to support a push for automatic promotion, which included spending a Championship-record £22 million fee to acquire midfielder Arne Engels.
The team's performance in the Championship fell short of expectations, culminating in back-to-back home defeats. The final match of Nuno's tenure was a 3-1 home loss to West Bromwich Albion, which left the promotion favorites sitting eighth in the league table.
On November 4 at 04:21 UTC, West Ham United announced the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo. Following the sacking, the club entered advanced talks with Parker to take over the managerial role.
What to watch
- Scott Parker will take charge of his first match as head coach on Wednesday against Cardiff City.
Where things stand
Scott Parker Appointed West Ham Head Coach Following Nuno Sacking
Key point: West Ham United have appointed former club captain and promotion specialist Scott Parker as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
West Ham United have appointed former captain Scott Parker as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Parker replaces Nuno Espírito Santo, who was dismissed on Tuesday following a poor start to the Championship season, and will take charge immediately for Wednesday's match against Cardiff City.
Parker returns to the club where he made 129 appearances and won three Hammer of the Year awards between 2007 and 2011. "It is a very proud moment for me to step into this role and return to a Club that means so much to me and my family," Parker said, adding that he feels privileged to lead the push back to the Premier League. Interim CEO Karim Virani called him the board's "unanimous choice."
The appointment brings a swift resolution to the managerial vacancy created by Nuno's departure, which followed a 3-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion that left the promotion favorites eighth in the table. Nuno had been in charge for 13 months, failing to save the club from relegation last season despite significant financial backing, including a Championship record £22 million fee for midfielder Arne Engels. Under Parker, the backroom staff will include first-team coaches Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville, and Billy Lepine, with sporting director Mark Noble also taking a hands-on role with the squad.
Parker has been out of work since leaving Burnley by mutual consent in April 2026 following their relegation from the top flight. However, the 46-year-old is regarded as a Championship promotion specialist, having previously guided Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley to the Premier League. West Ham's board hopes his track record and deep connection to the fanbase will immediately revive their push for automatic promotion.
Timeline
November 2026
West Ham United underwent a change in club leadership by replacing head coach Nuno Espírito Santo with Scott Parker.
AI- Scott Parker Appointed West Ham Head Coach Following Nuno SackingKey point: West Ham United have appointed former club captain and promotion specialist Scott Parker as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
