West Ham United has announced the immediate departure of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo after a thorough review of the club's performance in the EFL Championship season. The club's Board of Directors stated that a managerial change was necessary to keep the team's objectives and expectations on track. This decision comes as West Ham seeks to improve its performances and compete at the top level, particularly after being relegated from the Premier League.
The review process led to the conclusion that a change was required, and the club has begun the process of recruiting a new head coach. In the meantime, Mark Noble, Steve Potts, and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge of squad preparations ahead of the Championship fixture against Cardiff City. Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa have also left the club, and West Ham has thanked them for their hard work and commitment.
Nuno Espírito Santo was appointed as West Ham head coach on September 27, 2025, signing a three-year contract after leaving Nottingham Forest. During his tenure, he had previously managed several notable teams, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, Valencia, Porto, and Al-Ittihad. His achievements include guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League in 2018.
Under Nuno's management, Wolverhampton Wanderers achieved consecutive seventh-place finishes in the top flight and reached the Europa League quarter-finals in the 2019/20 season. He also led Nottingham Forest to seventh place in the Premier League and the FA Cup semi-finals in the 2024/25 campaign. Additionally, Nuno won the Saudi Pro League title with Al-Ittihad in 2022.
West Ham's expectations were high when they appointed Nuno, seeking to improve performances and compete at the top level. The immediate priority was to secure a return to the top flight, with automatic promotion being the preferred route. Nuno had stated his objective was to get the best out of the team and make West Ham as competitive as possible.
The club has announced that it will make no further comment until the appointment of a new head coach is confirmed. West Ham's next fixture is against Cardiff City, and the team will be led by Mark Noble, Steve Potts, and Gerard Prenderville on a temporary basis. The club is looking to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season.
Nuno Espírito Santo's departure marks a significant change for West Ham United, and the club will look to recruit a new head coach to lead the team to success. The club's management is focused on achieving its objectives and expectations, and a new coach will be tasked with improving the team's performances in the EFL Championship.
Key points
- West Ham United has sacked head coach Nuno Espírito Santo following a review of the club's start to the EFL Championship season.
- The club has begun the process of recruiting a new head coach, with Mark Noble, Steve Potts, and Gerard Prenderville taking temporary charge of squad preparations.
- Nuno Espírito Santo had been in charge of West Ham since September 27, 2025, and had previously managed several notable teams, including Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.
