West Ham sack Nuno after slipping to eighth in Championship

West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after a downturn in results left them eighth in the Championship. BBC Sport reported that the club are in advanced talks with Scott Parker about taking over, although an appointment had not been confirmed in the report. Nuno's departure follows the relegation he oversaw from the Premier League last season.

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The immediate setback was a 3-1 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, which followed a 3-2 loss to Southampton at London Stadium. West Ham have won only two of their past six matches, slipping from second place to eighth. They sit six points behind leaders Middlesbrough, leaving the side with ground to recover in its attempt to return to the top division.

In a statement carried by BBC Sport, West Ham said the board had reviewed the opening stages of the Championship campaign and decided a managerial change was needed to keep the club on course for its objectives. Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also departed. Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will temporarily oversee the team for Wednesday's trip to Cardiff City.

Nuno's side had already experienced a sharp change in fortunes this season. West Ham went without a win in their first three league games before winning four in succession during the first half of September. They scored 16 goals across that winning sequence, including six against Wrexham, and reached the top of the table. Since then, their only league victories have come against Lincoln City and Swansea City.

The dismissal extends a period of managerial turnover at West Ham. David Moyes left in May 2024, with Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter subsequently taking charge before Nuno. Lopetegui lasted six months and Potter eight. The club retained Nuno after last season's relegation, but the latest decision means it is now seeking a fourth permanent appointment since Moyes's departure.

Parker spent four seasons with West Ham as a player and has managed Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley. BBC Sport reported that he could be confirmed before the Cardiff match. His promotion record includes taking Bournemouth and Burnley out of the Championship, but the club's statement announced only that recruitment was under way. For now, the confirmed change is Nuno's exit and the temporary coaching arrangement.