West Ham are finally acting like a serious club

West Ham sack Nuno Espirito Santo after back-to-back home defeats leave them eighth in the Championship, appointing Scott Parker as replacement.

West Ham have dismissed manager Nuno Espirito Santo following consecutive home defeats to Southampton and West Brom that have left the promotion favourites eighth in the Championship, outside the play-offs. Nuno departs having won fewer than half of West Ham's Championship games this season, with players understood to be unhappy with his tactical approach.

Scott Parker takes over with significant work ahead. West Ham have conceded first in eight of their last 15 games and have let in 10 goals in the first 20 minutes of matches this season. Parker must address defensive vulnerabilities in midfield, where neither Arne Engels nor Divine Mukasa provide adequate cover, and decide on goalkeeper Mads Hermansen's future. The club also needs to integrate summer signings that have lacked consistency.

The appointment marks a rare moment of decisive action from West Ham's hierarchy. Previous managers Graham Potter and Julen Lopetegui lingered long after their positions became untenable, and the club appointed eight permanent managers in 15 years under David Sullivan and Karren Brady without clear purpose. With two-thirds of the season remaining, Parker inherits a squad containing experienced players like Tomas Soucek who have been sidelined.