West Ham United have appointed Scott Parker as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The 46-year-old former midfielder replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked on Tuesday after a disappointing start to the Championship season. Parker’s first match in charge is at Cardiff City on Wednesday.
Key Facts
– Appointed: Scott Parker, head coach, two-and-a-half-year deal
– Replaces: Nuno Espirito Santo, sacked Tuesday
– First match: Cardiff City (away), Wednesday
– League position: Eighth, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough
– Assistants: Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville and Billy Lepine, with Mark Noble as sporting director
Why Scott Parker West Ham Is a Homecoming
Parker spent four years at West Ham as a player after joining from Newcastle United in 2007 for £7m. He made 129 appearances, scored 12 goals and won the club’s player of the year award three seasons running. He also took the Football Writers’ Association award in 2010-11, despite the club’s relegation that season.
“It is a very proud moment for me to step into this role,” Parker told the club website.
Scott Parker West Ham Promotion Record
Parker has led Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley out of the Championship. His Fulham side beat Brentford in the 2020 play-off final, Bournemouth went up as runners-up, and Burnley returned at the first attempt with a 31-match unbeaten run. He has been out of work since leaving Burnley in April after their relegation from the Premier League.
“I’ve been in this division three times and I’ve got out of this division three times,” he said.
Why West Ham Sacked Nuno Espirito Santo
Nuno’s dismissal followed back-to-back home defeats, 3-2 to Southampton and 3-1 to West Bromwich Albion. West Ham have won two of their last six games and have fallen from second place. Interim chief executive Karim Virani said Parker was the board’s unanimous choice, citing his Championship record and understanding of the club.
Scott Parker West Ham Squad and Summer Spending
Sales of Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, El Hadji Malick Diouf, James Ward-Prowse and Freddie Potts brought in about £150m. The club paid Celtic a Championship-record £22m for Arne Engels and reportedly £12m for Edvin Austbo, and added Joel Veltman and Manor Solomon on free transfers. Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos remain.
