West Ham dismiss Nuno Espirito Santo after poor Championship start
West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo with the club eighth in the Championship, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough, after back-to-back home defeats.
West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following a disappointing start to their Championship campaign. The 52-year-old had been in charge since September 2025 and led the Hammers through their relegation from the Premier League last season.
The London club were widely regarded as favourites for automatic promotion but currently sit eighth in the table, six points adrift of leaders Middlesbrough. They have won just two of their last six matches and lost consecutive home games, falling 3-2 to Southampton before a 3-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also departed. Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge for the Championship trip to Cardiff City on Wednesday night.
In a club statement, West Ham said the board had conducted a thorough review of the start to the season and concluded a change was necessary to keep the club's objectives and expectations on track. The statement thanked Nuno and both assistants for their work and commitment, and confirmed that the search for a new head coach is already under way.
The dismissal underlines the pressure on a side expected to challenge at the top of the division rather than sit outside the promotion places. Supporters had watched the recent home defeats with growing concern, though reactions to the decision remain a matter of fan opinion rather than confirmed fact. The upcoming trip to Cardiff gives the interim staff an immediate opportunity to steady the team while the club pursues a permanent appointment.
