West Ham sack Nuno Espirito Santo after 13 games in Championship
Synopsis
West Ham's gamble on Nuno Espirito Santo after Premier League relegation has collapsed in just 13 Championship matches. With the club stranded in eighth and four points off automatic promotion, the sacking was triggered by a 3-1 home loss to West Brom — and Scott Parker, a former Hammers favourite, is reportedly next in line to take over.
Key Takeaways
West Ham United sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo with immediate effect on 3 November 2026 .
Assistant coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa also departed alongside Nuno.
The Hammers have won just six of their 13 Championship matches, sitting eighth and four points off automatic promotion.
A 3-1 home defeat to West Brom on Saturday proved the final trigger for the board's decision.
Mark Noble , Steve Potts , and Gerard Prenderville will take interim charge ahead of Wednesday's match at Cardiff City .
Reports indicate former player Scott Parker , who made 129 appearances for the club, is close to being named the new head coach.
West Ham United have dismissed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo with immediate effect after a run of poor results left the club eighth in the EFL Championship table, the club confirmed on 3 November 2026. Along with Nuno, assistant coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also left the club.
Why the Board Acted Now
The final straw came on Saturday when the Hammers suffered a 3-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion at the London Stadium, drawing audible frustration from supporters inside the ground. Across 13 Championship matches, West Ham have managed just six wins, leaving them in eighth place — the last playoff position — and four points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.
'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,' the club said in an official statement. It added that Nuno, Rui and Rui were thanked 'for their hard work and commitment during their time at the Club.'
Nuno's Tenure and Background
The 51-year-old Portuguese coach, who previously managed Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and most recently Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, joined West Ham on a three-year contract in 2025, succeeding Graham Potter. Crucially, the East London club chose to retain Nuno even after suffering Premier League relegation last season, banking on his experience to secure an immediate return to the top flight. That bet has not paid off.
Interim Arrangements Before Cardiff Fixture
Club legends Mark Noble and Steve Potts, alongside Gerard Prenderville, will take temporary charge of squad preparations ahead of Wednesday's EFL Championship trip to Cardiff City. The caretaker arrangement underlines the urgency of the situation, with no permanent appointment yet confirmed.
Scott Parker Tipped as Successor
Several reports suggest that Scott Parker — who made 129 appearances for West Ham as a player between 2007 and 2011 — is close to being appointed as the club's new head coach. West Ham said the recruitment process is underway but declined to make any further comment until an appointment is confirmed. Parker's familiarity with the club and his managerial experience in the Championship make him a natural fit, according to those reports.
With promotion to the Premier League the clear objective, West Ham will be under pressure to act swiftly and back any new appointment with a clear plan for the second half of the season.
Point of View
And his record at Tottenham and Forest pointed to fragility under sustained pressure. Thirteen games into the second tier, the cracks are familiar: a side capable of moments but incapable of a winning pattern. The Scott Parker speculation is interesting precisely because it is nostalgic; the club needs a Championship operator, not a homecoming. What the Hammers get right in the next appointment will define whether this is a one-season blip or a longer identity crisis for a club that has oscillated between top-half Premier League respectability and self-inflicted chaos for over a decade.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Nuno Espirito Santo sacked by West Ham?
West Ham sacked Nuno Espirito Santo on 3 November 2026 after just 13 EFL Championship matches, with the club winning only six and sitting eighth in the table. Back-to-back defeats, capped by a 3-1 home loss to West Brom, prompted the board to act.
Who will take charge of West Ham on an interim basis?
Mark Noble, Steve Potts, and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge of squad preparations ahead of Wednesday's EFL Championship fixture at Cardiff City. No permanent appointment has been confirmed yet.
Who is the favourite to replace Nuno at West Ham?
Several reports indicate that Scott Parker, who made 129 appearances for West Ham as a player between 2007 and 2011, is close to being appointed as the new head coach. The club has not officially confirmed any appointment.
Where does West Ham stand in the Championship table?
West Ham currently sit eighth in the EFL Championship table after 13 matches, with six wins. They are four points off the automatic promotion spots.
When did Nuno Espirito Santo join West Ham?
Nuno Espirito Santo joined West Ham on a three-year contract in 2025, succeeding Graham Potter after the club's relegation from the Premier League. He had previously managed Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest.
