West Ham sack Nuno as replacement confirmed in club statement

West Ham United have sacked manager Nuno Espirito Santo as they aim for an immediate return to the Premier League - with Scott Parker set to take over. The Hammers suffered relegation to the Championship last season.

Despite the drop, they opted to stick with manager Espirito Santo. But a faltering start to the Championship season has led them to take action.

Parker, the club's former captain who won multiple player-of-the-year awards in a four-year spell, is set to take over. There is hope that the 46-year-old could be in charge in time for Wednesday night's match against Cardiff City, reports the Athletic.

Parker has been looking for a return to management since leaving Burnley at the end of last season after the Clarets' relegation from the top-flight was confirmed. Parker, who made 129 appearances for West Ham, could call on former teammate Mark Noble to join his coaching staff.

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Ex-England international kicked started his coaching career with Fulham, also helping the side to promotion through the playoffs. But they struggled, with Parker dismissed after relegation.

He was then appointed as manager of Bournemouth in June 2021 and had a similar time of things on the South Coast after helping the Cherries to promotion before being eventually sacked following a 90 defeat against Liverpool. Parker then had a brief spell with Belgian side Club Brugge but lasted just 12 games, having won only two, before taking over at Burnley in 2024.

In an official statement released on Tuesday morning, West Ham said: "West Ham United can confirm that men’s first-team Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo has left his position with immediate effect.

"Following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the Board of Directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the Club’s objectives and expectations remain on track.

"Assistant Head Coach Rui Pedro Silva and Goalkeeper Coach Rui Barbosa have also departed.

"West Ham United would like to thank Nuno, Rui and Rui for their hard work and commitment during their time at the Club, and wish them all the very best for the future.

"The process of recruiting a new Head Coach is already underway.

"Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge of squad preparations ahead of tomorrow evening’s EFL Championship fixture at Cardiff City, and the Club will make no further comment until the appointment of the new Head Coach is confirmed."

The decision came after a 3-1 home loss vs West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, where some sections of the home fans sang 'acked in the morning' to the manager. The result leaves the Hammers in eighth place in the table, the final spot in the newly reconfigured play-offs at the end of the season.

When asked after the game if his job was under pressure, Nuno simply said: "I am always under pressure. Every day."

West Ham have won six of their 13 Championship games so far this season, but have lost their last two. They are back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to take on Cardiff, before travelling to face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon.