By Basant El-Faramawy
West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and are in advanced talks to appoint Scott Parker as his replacement, with the former England midfielder potentially confirmed before Wednesday's Championship trip to Cardiff City.
Sacking follows poor Championship start
The 52-year-old Portuguese coach paid the price for a disappointing start to the season after overseeing the club's relegation from the Premier League last term. West Ham sit eighth in the Championship, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough, and have lost back-to-back home matches against Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.
Parker favored for role
Parker, who made 129 appearances for West Ham during a four-year playing spell, has won promotion from the Championship three times as a manager with Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley. The club's hierarchy believe he understands the culture and can deliver an immediate return to the top flight.
Interim charge for Cardiff trip
Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge for the match at Cardiff. Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also departed the club.
Fourth manager since Moyes departure
The appointment would mark West Ham's fourth permanent manager since David Moyes left in May 2024. Julen Lopetegui lasted six months, Graham Potter eight months, and Nuno was unable to turn around the club's fortunes despite his experience of guiding Wolves out of the Championship.
Squad rebuilt for promotion push
Summer sales of players including Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville and James Ward-Prowse raised around £150m. The club spent a Championship-record £22m on midfielder Arne Engels and £12m on winger Edvin Austbo, while adding experienced free agents Joel Veltman and Manor Solomon. Key players Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos were retained.
Analysts back Parker's appointment
BBC analysts note Parker's three-time player of the year awards at West Ham and his promotion pedigree make him the obvious choice. With the squad at his disposal and the expectation of an immediate Premier League return, the next manager faces high stakes at London Stadium.
