West Ham part ways with manager Espirito Santo – Parker set to take over

West Ham United, who have been relegated from the Premier League, have parted ways with manager Nuno Espirito Santo following their second consecutive league defeat. The Hammers announced this on Tuesday.

“West Ham United confirms that Nuno Espirito Santo has stepped down from his role with immediate effect. Following a thorough analysis of the start to the season in the EFL Championship, the board has concluded that a change is necessary at this stage to ensure the club’s objectives and expectations continue to be met”, according to a statement on the English second-tier club’s website.

Alongside Espírito Santo, assistant manager Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa are also leaving the London club. Former player Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take charge on an interim basis; the trio are preparing the team for tomorrow’s match away at Cardiff City.

According to the statement, the search for a successor to the 52-year-old Portuguese manager is “already underway”. According to The Athletic, Scott Parker is the favourite; the 46-year-old former Hammers player has been without a club since the Hammers’ relegation in the summer and is reportedly available.

Only eighth in the league

At the weekend, West Ham suffered their second consecutive league defeat; the ambitious Premier League relegation side lost 1–3 at home to West Bromwich Albion. After 13 matches, the Hammers sit in eighth place with 22 points, whilst leaders Middlesbrough have already pulled six points clear.

Espirito Santo, who had previously managed Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham, among others, took over from Graham Potter at West Ham at the end of September 2025 and signed a three-year contract. However, he was unable to prevent the club’s first relegation since 2011. Nevertheless, the club had stood by Espirito Santo over the summer; together with the experienced manager and a squad that remains strong, the aim was to secure immediate promotion.

At present, however, the East London side are falling short of expectations and have also been knocked out of the League Cup following their 2–3 defeat to Fulham.