West Ham United are closing in on the appointment of Scott Parker as their new head coach following the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo, with the former Hammers midfielder emerging as the leading candidate to take charge at the London Stadium.
The managerial change comes as the club attempts to rescue its Championship campaign and revive hopes of securing an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation at the end of the 2025/26 season.
West Ham confirmed on Tuesday, November 3, that Nuno had left his position with immediate effect after a disappointing start to the Championship season, with consecutive home defeats increasing pressure on the Portuguese tactician.
His departure followed a 3-2 defeat against Southampton before another disappointing performance saw the Hammers suffer a 3-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion at the London Stadium.
The results left West Ham eighth in the Championship standings after 13 matches, six points behind league leaders Middlesbrough and four points away from the automatic promotion positions.
In its official statement, the club explained that the decision followed a thorough assessment of the team’s performances and the need to ensure its objectives remained on track.
Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also departed alongside Nuno.
While West Ham have yet to formally announce his replacement, reports from Sky Sports and The Guardian indicate that discussions with Parker have reached an advanced stage, with optimism that an agreement could be completed in time for Wednesday’s away fixture against Cardiff City.
Parker is an attractive candidate because of his familiarity with the club and his impressive experience in the Championship.
The 46-year-old enjoyed a successful playing career at West Ham, making 129 appearances between 2007 and 2011. He also established himself as an influential figure during his time at the London Stadium, earning recognition for his performances and leadership in midfield.
His managerial career has also been defined by his ability to guide Championship clubs into the Premier League.
Parker secured promotion with Fulham during the 2019/20 season before achieving a similar feat with Bournemouth in 2022. He subsequently guided Burnley back to the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign.
However, his most recent managerial experience ended disappointingly after Burnley parted ways with him in April 2026 following their relegation.
Nevertheless, West Ham’s interest reflects their desire to appoint someone with proven experience of navigating the Championship promotion battle.
The club’s immediate priority is to rebuild confidence, improve defensive organisation and close the gap on the automatic promotion places.
In the meantime, former West Ham captain Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville have been tasked with overseeing preparations ahead of the Cardiff encounter.
For Parker, a potential return to the club where he spent four important years of his playing career would represent an opportunity to reconnect with familiar surroundings while taking on the significant responsibility of restoring West Ham to the Premier League.
With the Hammers already under pressure following their relegation and inconsistent Championship performances, the next managerial appointment could prove decisive in determining the direction of their season.
An official announcement from West Ham regarding Parker’s appointment was still awaited as of Tuesday, November 3.
