Parker out to cure 'desperate' West Ham

Parker, appointed Wednesday to replace sacked Nuno, has overseen draws and defeats in his first three days, with West Ham now outside the play-offs.

Scott Parker was appointed West Ham United head coach on Wednesday to replace Nuno Espirito Santo. In his first three days, he has overseen two away matches and just one training session with the squad.

West Ham drew 3-3 with Cardiff City on Wednesday night after going three goals down, but then lost 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers, a result that knocked them out of the play-off places. The loss was met with anger from 7,000 travelling Hammers fans at Ewood Park, with chants of "You're not fit to wear the shirt" and particular criticism directed at goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

Parker, a former West Ham captain who has secured promotion with Fulham (2020), Bournemouth (2022) and Burnley (2025), told BBC Sport he sees "a desperate team" burdened by the expectation of an immediate return to the Premier League. "What I need to do is support this group and give them the belief and the confidence to show their real quality," he said.

"I need to turn it around and there is a lot of pain that's come over a number of years really."