Parker appointed West Ham head coach

West Ham United have appointed former midfielder Scott Parker as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The 46-year-old succeeds Nuno Espirito Santo, who was dismissed on November 3 after just over 13 months in charge. Parker returns to east London 15 years after departing as a player, taking over with the team sitting eighth in the Sky Bet Championship ahead of a fixture against Cardiff City.

Parker previously achieved Championship promotions managing Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley, and had been without a club since leaving Burnley in April. He will be supported by first-team coaches Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville, and Billy Lepine, alongside his former teammate Mark Noble.