West Ham sack Nuno Espírito Santo and move to recruit Scott Parker during Championship promotion bid
West Ham United confirmed on Tuesday that men’s first-team head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has left his position with immediate effect as the club continues its bid to return to the Premier League via the EFL Championship. The board said a review of the start to the season prompted the change.
Less than a third of the way through the Championship campaign under Nuno, West Ham had produced some high-scoring results — including six-goal wins over Wrexham and Lincoln and victories in which they scored three or more against Wolves, Derby and Bolton — but over 13 league matches they had lost three and sat in eighth place, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough. “West Ham United can confirm that men’s first-team head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has left his position with immediate effect,” the club said. “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.”
Determined to secure one of the two automatic promotion places, West Ham have approached Scott Parker. The 46-year-old was described in coverage as an understated club legend, noted for wearing Thom Browne four-bar ripstop blouson jackets in his technical area and for having masterminded immediate promotion to the Premier League for the only three English clubs he has managed thus far; some supporters on social media were already debating Parker’s Premier League record and arguing over who should replace him when he becomes the first top-flight gaffer to get sacked in 12 months’ time.
West Ham’s attacking output earlier in the campaign was significant on paper: the team had scored 33 goals in their opening 13 games. The coverage added a tongue-in-cheek observation that supporters might now expect a run of conservative 1-0 wins to protect promotion hopes.
The decision to dismiss Nuno followed consecutive home defeats by Southampton and West Brom, and coverage noted the image of Nuno on the London Stadium touchline on Saturday, described as a sad figure with “eyes glazed and grey beard glistening in the early evening mist as he stared blankly in the direction of several celebrating Baggies.” The report said Tuesday’s announcement would not have come as a huge surprise to Hammers fans.
CD Tenerife announced on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, that striker Jesús de Miguel Alameda had died at 8am after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest during a match following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. The club statement read: “Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8am, of Jesús de Miguel Alameda. There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness. We stand with his grieving family, with his loved ones, with all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today. The family of Jesús de Miguel is grateful for each and every expression of support received, and also requests, from the bottom of their hearts, the utmost respect for their privacy during these terrible times.” The report added that de Miguel died after a collision with the Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a match in Spain’s second division and that he did not regain consciousness. “While my heart aches for Jesús de Miguel, who has died after a collision with the Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, I shudder to think the trauma that shall haunt Owono for the rest of his life. I do hope and pray the wider community understands and extends their support in his recuperation” – Krishna Moorthy.
Readers’ letters included a range of suggestions and recollections: “As an upgrade to Steve Plever’s suggestion of paper thin shirts [Monday’s letters]: how about Velcro shirts? If the bit comes off, it is a shirt pull and the offender has the honour of putting it back in place before being awarded a yellow card” – Mike Harold. One contributor recalled Francis Lee’s reaction to a foul in the 1960s; another noted Aston Villa had considered the words of Jamie Carragher “unacceptable insults”, to which Rupert Jeffery replied: “It would obviously help matters if they could publish examples of acceptable insults.” Today’s letter o’ the day goes to … Mike Harold, who wins a copy of Programmes! by Richard Crooks. It’s out now and available to buy on the Pitch Publishing website. Terms and conditions for our competitions are here.
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