Scott Parker close to West Ham return as successor to Nuno Espirito Santo

Scott Parker is close to becoming West Ham’s new manager after Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old has been out of work since leaving Burnley last season following the club’s relegation. According to The Athletic, negotiations have progressed and Parker is now nearing a return to the club where he began his senior playing career.

West Ham are eighth in the English Championship with 22 points from 13 matches. They are six points behind leaders Middlesbrough.

The club have won six of their league games, drawn four and lost three. Their latest match ended in a 3-1 defeat by West Bromwich at the start of the week.

Parker previously played for West Ham and won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award in 2011.

He has since managed Fulham, Bournemouth, Club Brugge and Burnley. Parker guided Fulham back to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season, led Bournemouth to promotion in 2021-22 and took Burnley back to the Premier League in 2024-25.

West Ham are hoping Parker can deliver another promotion campaign and help them return to the Premier League, following the pattern established during some of his previous managerial appointments.

The club are due to play Cardiff City next Wednesday, with Parker potentially taking charge before or around that fixture depending on the timing of his appointment.

Nuno Espirito Santo took over at West Ham in September 2025 after Graham Potter was dismissed. The team were 19th in the table at the time, but Nuno was unable to prevent their relegation.