West Ham sack Nuno Espírito Santo with Championship promotion push stalling

West Ham have sacked Nuno Espírito Santo with immediate effect, ending his tenure with the club sitting eighth in the Championship table and outside the automatic promotion positions, according to Yahoo Sports.

His final match in charge came on Saturday, a 3-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion that allowed the visitors to leapfrog West Ham in the standings, Yahoo Sports reported. It came on the back of a 3-2 home loss to Southampton on 24 October.

West Ham were expected to return swiftly to the Premier League after last season's relegation, but under Nuno they managed just six wins from 13 league fixtures, with four draws and three defeats. That record puts them six points adrift of leaders Middlesbrough and four behind second-placed Swansea City.

The Guardian reported that patience with Nuno had snapped following the West Brom defeat, with his tactics, team selections and recruitment all coming under scrutiny during his time in charge.

Nuno's departure was accompanied by those of two members of his backing staff, with assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa both exiting the club, both outlets confirmed.

A West Ham statement 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."

The statement added: "West Ham United 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."

Nuno, 52, joined West Ham in September 2025 on a three-year contract, replacing the sacked Graham Potter with the club 19th in the Premier League at the time. Relegation followed, sealed on the season's last day, and he was unable to prevent it.

Scrutiny of his position had begun within months of his arrival, but West Ham chose to back him in January. Days after relegation was sealed, the club issued a statement confirming he would remain in charge for the Championship campaign, Yahoo Sports reported.

His managerial career before joining West Ham had taken in spells at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.

Temporary charge of the first team now passes to club legend Mark Noble, working alongside Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville, as West Ham look to arrest their slide down the table.

The Guardian reported that there has previously been internal support for former West Ham midfielder Scott Parker to take over on a permanent basis, though there is currently no clear favourite for the role.

West Ham's promotion push resumes on Wednesday night with a trip to Cardiff City.