By Islam El-Sakka
West Ham United have dismissed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following consecutive Championship defeats that stalled the club's promotion push.
Club statement and interim setup
The club confirmed the departure with immediate effect after a board review concluded a change was necessary to keep promotion objectives on track. Former captain Mark Noble, alongside Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville, will take temporary charge for Wednesday's trip to Cardiff. Nuno's assistants Rui Pedro Silva and Rui Barbosa have also left.
Nuno's tenure and recent form
Nuno, who previously managed Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, replaced Graham Potter in September 2025 on a three-year contract. He oversaw West Ham's relegation from the Premier League last season, with the club finishing 18th. Despite retaining captain Jarrod Bowen and signing Arne Engels for a Championship-record £22 million, the team managed only two wins in seven games after an opening 6-0 thrashing of Wrexham. Back-to-back home losses to Southampton and West Brom left West Ham eighth after 13 matches, prompting fan unrest.
Parker lined up as replacement
Former West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, out of work since leaving Burnley, is the leading candidate to take over. Parker has secured promotion from the Championship three times with Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley. Noble could join his coaching staff after the Cardiff fixture. West Ham currently occupy the final play-off place, four points behind Swansea in the automatic promotion race.
