West Ham close in on intriguing Nuno Espirito Santo replacement as Portsmouth and Cardiff City wait for decision
Pompey welcome West Ham to Fratton Park on November 24.
West Ham are poised to have a new boss in charge for their trip to Fratton Park later this month.
A 3-1 defeat to West Brom on Saturday marked the end of his reign and departs the London Stadium with the club eighth after an underwhelming start to the campaign.
West Ham are looking to move quickly to replace the Portuguese coach, however, with fresh reports suggesting a new head coach could even be in the dugout for Wednesday’s trip to Cardiff City.
West Ham close in on Scott Parker as Pompey wait for decision
National reports have claimed Scott Parker is the leading contender to take over in east London and is currently a free agent after his Burnley exit at the end of last season.
It is believed the 46-year-old is a popular figure amongst the Hammers’ hierarchy, with an agreement said to have already been reached to return to the club he spent four years as a player between 2007 and 2011.
The Englishman is now expected to be in charge at the Cardiff City Stadium as he looks to help West Ham bounce back from successive defeats to promotion rivals Southampton and West Brom in recent weeks.
Parker has a strong managerial record in the Championship, winning promotion with Fulham, Bournemouth and most recently Burnley in 2025.
He departed Turf Moor by mutual consent in April, with the Clarets later suffering relegation back to the second tier.
Reports have also suggested Parker will be joined by former West Ham team-mate and club legend Mark Noble in his backroom staff.
The ex-England international’s first game in charge is expected to be Wednesday’s game against Cardiff before returning to the London Stadium to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday before the international break.
West Ham to make first trip to Fratton Park in 15 years later this month
The Hammers will then travel Preston North End before making their first trip to Fratton Park in 15 years to take on John Mousinho’s troops on November 24.
West Ham currently sit just three points above Pompey in the early-season standings, with the Blues themselves on an impressive run losing just one of their previous nine.
Adrian Segecic opened the scoring at the London Stadium, before two goals from Taty Castellanos and a strike from Jarrod Bowen claimed cup victory.
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