West Ham sack Nuno Espírito Santo after Championship slide

West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espírito Santo after consecutive home defeats left them eighth in the Championship. The club confirmed his immediate departure on Tuesday, saying its board had reviewed the start of the season and decided a change was needed to protect its objectives and expectations.

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Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also departed. West Ham said recruitment of a new head coach was already underway, with Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville temporarily responsible for preparing the squad for Wednesday evening’s league match at Cardiff City. The club said it would not comment further before confirming an appointment.

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion followed a 3-2 home loss to Southampton. According to BBC Sport, West Ham have won only two of their past six matches, a sequence that has taken them from second place to eighth. They are six points behind leaders Middlesbrough and four behind the second automatic promotion position. Sky Sports reported that Nuno leaves with six wins from 13 league games.

The setback comes after a September revival that briefly put West Ham top of the table. BBC Sport reported that four consecutive victories in the first half of that month produced 16 goals, including a 6-0 win against Wrexham. Subsequent league victories against Lincoln City and Swansea City were not enough to sustain that position, and the latest home defeats prompted the managerial change.

Nuno had remained in charge following relegation from the Premier League last season, having succeeded Graham Potter in September 2025. West Ham are now seeking their fourth permanent manager since David Moyes left in May 2024. Julen Lopetegui and Potter both held the role before Nuno, whose tenure continued into the club’s attempt to return immediately to the top flight.

BBC Sport and Sky Sports reported advanced discussions with Scott Parker, but West Ham’s statement did not name a successor. Parker previously played for the club and has managed Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley to Championship promotion. For now, the confirmed arrangement is the temporary preparation team announced by West Ham, rather than a completed managerial appointment.