West Ham United dismisses manager Nuno Espírito Santo

West Ham United dismissed manager Nuno Espírito Santo on November 3, 2026, following a home defeat to West Bromwich Albion that left the club eighth in the EFL Championship. The 52-year-old Portuguese coach leaves London alongside assistant Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa after a thirteen-match run in the second tier that yielded 22 points, as reported by Sport.cz.

The Board Evaluates the Championship Campaign

“Following a thorough evaluation of the Championship season’s opening phase, the board concluded that a change in the coaching position is necessary at this time to ensure the club continues toward its goals and meets expectations,” West Ham United stated in an official release.

Defeats at the London Stadium Accelerate the Departure

Espírito Santo took charge of the Hammers in September 2025 and remained in office despite presiding over the club’s relegation from the Premier League last spring. Expectations of an immediate promotion campaign unraveled during a difficult autumn stretch in which the team secured only two victories from its last six league outings. Back-to-back home losses—a 3–2 defeat against Southampton followed by a 3–1 reverse against West Bromwich Albion—triggered vocal protests from supporters who demanded immediate action from management.

West Ham Struggles to Secure Automatic Promotion

The club entered the 2026–27 campaign as a primary contender for automatic promotion back to the top flight. Instead, 13 rounds into the league schedule, West Ham sits in eighth position with 22 points, trailing automatic promotion spots by four points and sitting six points behind league leaders Middlesbrough. Czech midfielder Tomáš Souček, who remains under contract with the club through 2028, and club captain Jarrod Bowen now face another mid-season transition under different leadership.

Interim Leadership Prepares for Cardiff City

The club announced that Mark Noble, Steve Potts, and Gerard Prenderville will take charge of the first team on an interim basis. This trio will lead the squad into Wednesday’s away fixture at Cardiff City while the executive board begins a search for a permanent successor. Concurrently, reports from outlets such as The Athletic indicate advanced talks regarding a permanent appointment for Scott Parker, though the club has not officially confirmed a final agreement.

The Next Fixture at Cardiff City

West Ham United travels to South Wales on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, to face Cardiff City in EFL Championship action under the temporary guidance of Noble, Potts, and Prenderville.