West Ham officially sign Scott Parker to replace Nuno Santo

West Ham United have officially announced the appointment of Englishman Scott Parker as the new head coach of the first team, replacing Portuguese Nuno Santo, who was sacked on Tuesday.

The London club has confirmed that Parker, aged 46, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, and he will take charge of the team starting from the match against Cardiff City on Wednesday evening in the EFL Championship.

Parker will take on his role with the assistance of Steve Boots, Gerard Brindley, and JP Libin, alongside Mark Noble working closely with the new team manager, with the club set to announce the full details of the coaching staff later.

Scott Parker returns to West Ham after previously representing the team as a player between 2007 and 2011. He played 129 matches in their colours, won the club's Player of the Year award three consecutive times, and received the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award during the 2010-2011 season.

The English coach has a remarkable experience in the Championship, having led Fulham to the Premier League in 2020, Bournemouth in 2022, and Burnley in 2025. He also won the Championship Manager of the Season award in the 2024-2025 season with Burnley.

Parker said in statements to the club's official website: "It is a great moment of pride for me to take on this role and return to a club that means so much to me and my family. I have very fond memories of my time here, as it was four years that perhaps saw the best football I played during my career."

He added: "I feel very excited about this opportunity, and I consider myself lucky and proud to be the person leading this club in its attempt to return to the Premier League."

He continued: "I have previously worked in this league three times, and I succeeded in promotion on all three occasions. I know it is a tough league, and I will use all my experience and knowledge to achieve consistency, as it will be the key to our success, along with commitment and teamwork."

West Ham's interim CEO Karim Verani confirmed that Parker was the unanimous choice of the board, pointing out his extensive experience and successful record in the Championship, as well as his deep knowledge of the club, its identity, and its fans.