West Ham United slipped into the Championship after finishing 18th in the Premier League, the first time the London Stadium hosts a relegated side. Their manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, faced a contractual clause that lets either side exit without payment. He met with club officials on Monday to discuss the club’s future in late season.

With Nuno’s contract ending after just 33 top‑flight matches, the board has opened a shortlist. Former Fulham and Burnley boss Scott Parker leads the pack, having guided his teams from promotion to the Premier League and back again. Other names include Gary O'Neil of Strasbourg and Wales’ Craig Bellamy in the season to bring success.

Parker’s familiarity with the club—he managed West Ham from 2007 to 2011—adds weight to his candidacy. If the club appoints him, the new coach will inherit a squad that struggled for consistency and faces a tough promotion push. The decision will shape the club’s return strategy and fan expectations moving forward.

Meanwhile, Nuno responded to the relegation news with a calm statement: “It’s not about me. We are in a tough place and West Ham has to go back in the Premier League.” His comments highlight the club’s focus on quick promotion, while the board weighs options that could reshape the squad and management hierarchy in.