Sheffield United will host West Ham United at Bramall Lane on Friday, December 4. The Championship fixture will see Blades boss Chris Wilder face a new-look West Ham side, with Scott Parker expected to be in the away dugout following Nuno Espirito Santo's departure.
West Ham United confirmed Nuno's exit on Tuesday. "West Ham United can confirm that men’s first-team Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo has left his position with immediate effect," the club said in a statement. "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 Club’s objectives and expectations remain on track."
Scott Parker, who has been out of work since leaving Burnley after their relegation last season, is set to take over. The 46-year-old could be in place as early as Wednesday, in time for West Ham's upcoming trip to Cardiff City. Parker is a former West Ham captain and a popular figure with supporters from his playing days between 2007 and 2011.
His managerial career includes spells at Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley, whom he guided to second place in the Championship in the 2024/25 season, one spot above Sheffield United that campaign. Former Hammer Mark Noble could join his backroom staff.
The managerial change comes with West Ham sitting eighth in the Championship, three points ahead of Sheffield United. The Hammers had lost their last two home games to Southampton and West Brom before the decision was made. Nuno had been kept on over the summer despite the club's relegation from the Premier League.
For Chris Wilder's side, the focus is on the immediate future. United travel to Preston on Tuesday, November 3, looking to build on a recent 1-0 win over Wrexham. That victory, secured by a Ben Brereton goal on October 30, ended a run of three games without a win. The team's form over the last five matches stands at one win, one draw, and three defeats. Top scorer Patrick Bamford, who has five goals this season, will be a key figure in the coming weeks as United look to climb the standings.
The December meeting with West Ham adds an extra layer of narrative to the Championship calendar, pitting Wilder against a manager familiar with the division's demands.
First reported at The Star
