West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espírito Santo and moved quickly to make Scott Parker his successor as the club bid to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
Telegraph Sport understands that Parker will replace Nuno, who was told of his dismissal early on Tuesday morning.
Nuno failed to save West Ham from relegation to the Championship last season and the club are intent on making an instant return to the top flight.
Successive home defeats by Southampton and West Bromwich Albion have left West Ham in eighth position – the final play-off place – after 13 games, which has been deemed not good enough.
Parker has been out of work since leaving Burnley in April and is considered by insiders as the perfect replacement for Nuno. He has experience of winning promotion to the Premier League with Burnley and Fulham.
It is likely that Parker will be a popular appointment with West Ham fans, following a four-year playing spell with the club during which he was named 2011 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association.
West Ham travel to Cardiff City on Wednesday night, for which Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will prepare the team. Should a deal be agreed quickly, then Parker could take charge of the game.
Parker was a team-mate of Noble at West Ham. Noble is currently sporting director at the club, but could also play a role in his staff.
In a statement, the club said: “West Ham United can confirm that men’s first-team head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has left his position with immediate effect.
“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.
“Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also departed.
“West Ham United would like to thank Nuno, Rui and Rui for their hard work and commitment during their time at the club, and wish them all the very best for the future.
“The process of recruiting a new head coach is already under way.
Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge of squad preparations ahead of tomorrow evening’s EFL Championship fixture at Cardiff City, and the club will make no further comment until the appointment of the new head coach is confirmed.”