Official: West Ham Sack Nuno Espirito Santo

Originally posted on GiveMeSport | By Daniel Feliciano | Last updated Nov 3, 2026 3:48 AM ET

West Ham United have sacked Nuno Espirito Santo as manager after a poor start to the season in the Championship.

The Hammers were relegated to the Premier League last season after a poor campaign, but were strongly expected to return to the top flight immediately after a summer transfer window which included keeping captain Jarrod Bowen in the squad.

But the team have struggled for consistency in the second tier, winning just six of their 13 games so far, and winning just two of their last seven in all competitions.

The team suffered a second consecutive home defeat this past weekend against West Bromwich Albion, following a loss to Southampton the week before, and that has proven to be enough for the Hammers board to make the decision to part ways with the Portuguese boss.

West Ham now sit eighth in the Championship table, and they currently find themselves six points behind league leaders Middlesbrough.

ðŸš¨ BREAKING: West Ham have sacked Nuno EspÃrito Santo, as @RoshaneSport called.The club confirm "following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the Board of Directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the Clubâ€™sâ€¦ pic.twitter.com/XHUKeqJ0T9— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 3, 2026

Espirito Santo had signed a three-year contract when replacing Graham Potter as manager last year, but he was unable to prevent the team from dropping down a division. However, the board and manager decided to continue together to get back to the top flight. But performances haven't gone to plan, and the east London side have now opted to make a change.

Assistant Head Coach Rui Pedro Silva and Goalkeeper Coach Rui Barbosa have also departed.

The team will travel to take on Cardiff City on Wednesday evening, and it is understood that Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge of the squad to prepare for that game.

GIVEMESPORT understands that majority owner Daniel Kretinsky made the final decision to part ways with the manager, having gone against David Sullivan in the summer by deciding to keep him in the dugout.

Key Events Timeline

May 2026 — West Ham finished 18th and were relegated from the Premier League.
Summer 2026 — Kretinsky overruled Sullivan to keep Nuno Espirito Santo as head coach.
July 2026 — Captain Jarrod Bowen committed to staying for the Championship promotion push.
October 2026 — Southampton won 3-2 at the London Stadium in the Championship.
October 2026 — West Brom won 3-1 in east London, a second straight home defeat.
November 2026 — West Ham sack Nuno Espirito Santo with the team 8th in the Championship table.