Scott Parker appointed West Ham head coach on two-and-a-half-year deal
West Ham United have hired former midfielder Scott Parker as head coach, signing him to a two-and-a-half-year contract to replace Nuno Espírito Santo.
West Ham United confirmed the appointment of former player Scott Parker as the club's new head coach. The 46-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo, who was dismissed on November 3 after just over 13 months in charge. Parker will be assisted by first-team coaches Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville and Billy Lepine, with club legend Mark Noble also set to work closely with the coaching team.
Parker's first match in charge will be on Wednesday against Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium, with West Ham sitting eighth in the Championship, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough.
"It is a very proud moment for me to step into this role and return to a club that means so much to me and my family," Parker said. "More than anything, this is an opportunity that I am very excited about. I feel privileged and honoured to be the guy that wants to lead us back to the Premier League and be the head coach of this football club at this moment in time."
The appointment marks Parker's return to east London 15 years after leaving as a player in August 2011. During his playing career he made 129 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 12 goals. He has previously guided three clubs to promotion from the Sky Bet Championship – Fulham in 2019/20, Bournemouth in 2021/22 and Burnley in 2024/25. Parker had been unemployed since April, after parting ways with Burnley by mutual consent.
The club's supporters and officials expressed optimism that Parker's experience and connection with the fanbase will help West Ham regain Premier League status.