LONDON: Former West Ham captain Scott Parker has returned to the club as manager, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract ​as he looks to lead the Championship side back ‌to the Premier League.

The 46-year-old former England midfielder, who made 129 appearances for West Ham between 2007 and 2011, arrives with a proven track ​record of promotion, having guided Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley ​from the second tier to the top flight in ⁠2020, 2022 and 2025 respectively.

Parker replaces Nuno Espirito Santo after ​the club parted ways with the Portuguese coach following back-to-back ​defeats that left West Ham eighth in the standings.

Nuno joined a struggling West Ham in September 2025 but was unable to reverse the club’s fortunes, ​overseeing their relegation from the Premier League for the first ​time since 2011.

“It is a very proud moment for me to step ‌into ⁠this role and return to a club that means so much to me and my family. A lot of very fond memories of my time here – four years of probably the best ​football I played ​in my ⁠career…,” Parker said in a statement.

“More than anything, this is an opportunity that I am very ​excited about. I feel privileged and honoured to ​be ⁠the guy that wants to lead us back to the Premier League and be the head coach of this football club at ⁠this ​moment in time.”

Parker most recently managed Burnley, ​leaving by mutual consent in April, days after the club’s relegation back to ​the Championship.

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