West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following an underwhelming start to their Championship campaign. The 52-year-old manager, who had been in charge since September 2025, departs after presiding over the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League last season and failing to sustain the early momentum expected in the second tier.
Considered widely as favourites for automatic promotion back to the top flight, the London club currently sit eighth in the Championship table, trailing division leaders Middlesbrough by six points. Recent results have exacerbated the situation, with West Ham winning just two of their last six fixtures and enduring consecutive home defeats, having been beaten 3-2 by Southampton before falling to a 3-1 loss against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The departures also include backroom staff, with assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa leaving alongside Nuno. West Ham stated: "Following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the board of directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the club's objectives and expectations remain on track." The club added that they "would like to thank Nuno, Rui and Rui for their hard work and commitment during their time at the Club, and wish them all the very best for the future."
With a quick turnaround ahead, Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville have been appointed to take temporary charge of the team for Wednesday night's Championship trip to face Cardiff City. In the meantime, the club confirmed that the process of recruiting a new head coach is already under way.