West Ham is counting on its former captain to return to the Premier League

Scott Parker takes over from Nuno Espírito Santo as West Ham’s head coach. The London club, after officially announcing on Tuesday that it had parted ways with the Portuguese coach following two consecutive home losses that saw the team slip to eighth place in the Championship, has decided to turn to its former captain in an effort to secure promotion to the Premier League. Parker, 46, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, marking his return to a club with which he has a particularly strong connection. As a player, he wore the Hammers’ jersey from 2007 to 2011, making 129 appearances.

West Ham’s decision is based primarily on the experience of the former English midfielder, who has already proven his ability to achieve significant results in the Championship. Throughout his coaching career, he has secured three promotions to the Premier League—leading Fulham in 2020, Bournemouth in 2022, and Burnley in 2025.

“It’s a moment of great pride for me to take on this role and return to a club that means so much to me and my family. I have wonderful memories of the four years I spent here—probably the period when I played the best soccer of my career,” Parker said after his return was made official.

The Hammers’ new manager made no secret of his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead: “It’s an opportunity that excites me tremendously. I feel privileged and honored to have the chance to lead this team back to the Premier League and to guide the club at this moment.” Parker’s most recent coaching stint was at Burnley, where he parted ways by mutual agreement last April, just a few days after the team’s relegation to the Championship.