West Ham appoint Scott Parker after sacking Nuno Espírito Santo

West Ham began the Championship season as promotion favourites, but results failed to match those expectations. By October 31, they were eighth and six points off the pace, according to Sky Sports.

Nuno Espírito Santo was already carrying the weight of the previous season. The42 reported that he had overseen West Ham's relegation from the Premier League.

On October 31, West Brom won 3-1 at the London Stadium. Sky Sports reported that supporters turned on Nuno after the home defeat.

Nuno acknowledged the scrutiny. BBC Football reported that he said he was under pressure every day as criticism intensified.

On November 2, Sky Sports reported that West Ham had sacked him after successive defeats left the club eighth in the Championship. BBC Sport subsequently reported that his tenure had lasted 14 months.

The results behind the decision were stark: West Ham had won only six of their first 13 Championship games, according to Sky News. On November 3, Express & Star reported that Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville had taken temporary charge.

Attention quickly turned to a replacement. On November 3, the Guardian reported that West Ham were poised to appoint Scott Parker, a former West Ham midfielder.

Parker's appointment is now confirmed, rather than merely anticipated. Sky Sports reported on November 4 that West Ham had appointed him as their new head coach.

He takes over with West Ham eighth in the Championship following the disappointing start that cost Nuno his job. The immediate task is to improve results for a club whose promotion expectations have not been matched on the pitch.