Relegated from the Premier League, West Ham part ways with Portuguese coach Espírito Santo

London football club West Ham have ended their cooperation with head coach Espírito Santo, a 52-year-old Portuguese. The team now plays in the Championship, England's second tier, after being relegated from the Premier League, the country's top football division, in the previous season. The coaching change comes as the club tries to return to the elite.

Espírito Santo's time at the club

The Portuguese took charge of the London club in September 2025 but could not save the team from relegation. The club's leadership nevertheless decided to give him another chance, but his time at West Ham has now come to an end.

The league situation

This season the club aims to return to the Premier League. After 13 rounds, the team is eighth in the Championship table with 22 points. It trails the leaders, Middlesbrough, by six points.

The new coach

Espírito Santo will be replaced by Scott Parker, who once played for West Ham as a footballer. As a coach, he has previously led Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley to the Premier League. Achieving the same with West Ham is now the club's stated aim.