West Ham have confirmed Scott Parker as head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The Guardian reports that he succeeds Nuno Espirito Santo with the club eighth in the Championship after consecutive defeats.
Returning in a different role
Parker made 129 appearances for West Ham between 2007 and 2011. Sky Sports records 12 goals during that spell and notes that his appointment comes 15 years after he left as a player.
The 46-year-old described pride in returning to a club important to him and his family. In comments carried by both outlets, he recalled his relationship with supporters and expressed enthusiasm for taking charge.
Nuno left on 3 November after just over 13 months in the role. West Ham had retained him after Premier League relegation, but a home defeat by West Brom preceded the change.
Promotion experience and staff
Parker has led Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley into the Premier League, in 2019/20, 2021/22 and 2024/25 respectively. He had been out of work since leaving Burnley in April.
Sky Sports says Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville and Billy Lepine will assist him, with Mark Noble also working closely with his former teammate.
The published opening schedule lists Cardiff on 4 November, using the British date, followed by Blackburn away on 7 November. Preston, Portsmouth and Stoke are also listed later in the month. Parker's work following the appointment centres on establishing his team and approach during that Championship sequence.