2026 is becoming something of a landmark year for West Ham United. Relegation, explosive allegations, departures, resignations, board room battles, a takeover foiled and now a manager sacked by telephone: It isn’t dull, is it.
Few fans would have expected the West Ham leadership to act so decisively, having grown accustomed to the slow painful, managerial death of a thousand ‘last games’ which had become West Ham’s preferred method of drawing out their head coach sackings.
Appointing a former three-time Hammer of the Year as head coach has certainly energised a fan base desperate for the end of the no-no-Nuno era.
Here we’ve several guest posts by Claret and Hugh readers voicing their own approval – or distaste for – the arrival of West Ham’s twenty third permanent managerial appointment:
Guest post by ‘Morty’:
Not my first choice either.. but I too am getting excited about this past hero running the team. Concerns seem to be with his Premier League record, but we are a long way from that at the moment. If he succeeds he will be taking up the biggest club he has managed by some way and his transfer budget should reflect that and increase his ability to stay up next time.
Guest post by ‘taffyhammer’:
Scott needs to hit the ground running. A pragmatic approach to getting the best out of the squad we have is vitally important.
Nuno was still playing around with nuanced differences and his plan was to get some out and get some more in in January to continue building ‘his’ team.
We did not have the time for this plan. We need the team to perform now. Come on Scotty!
Guest post by ‘Peter whu’:
I am glad that this whole sorry saga of Lopetegui (although I felt a bit sorry for L), Potter & megalomaniac NES is finally over. To have a manager who internally divides a squad and ostracizes people beggars belief. Parker, Noble, Potts, Prenderville are not this type…..
Whatever Parker’s reputation with Burnley, this is a pretty good squad. He was willing to use youngsters in the past and we have plenty to hand along with some excellent experienced players. Parker & Noble were hard workers on a pitch but also very talented and if any of that is reflected by the team it will be a good start.
I know everyone talks about promotion, but personally, I want to see a blend of youth and experience, playing well, taking the game to the opposition and playing for each other – Let’s get to mid-season first of all. The players’ responsibility is to play well for 90+ minutes and play as a team, not get the club promoted – those are tactics, squad rotation, recruitment, etc…….
Good luck to them and will now look forward to the rest of the season in the Championship…..”
Guest post by ‘Fredk’:
“Underwhelmed”
Guest post by ‘Mick’:
“Wont be attending games this season or writing comments on here now .Lots of talented managers out there so what do we do? Same old same old. Had enough.”
Wow, I thought there would be more enthusiasm for Parker. I am happy with his appointment. What more can you ask for than a three times promotion proven manager, three times West Ham player of the year and one time Footballers Player of the year? One step at a time comrades. This is very sensible.
One thing that bothers me is that none of the critics of Nuno do not emphasize enough his selfish behavior as a manager which was so detrimental to the team.
Isn’t it unacceptable to treat athletes of our club like GWP, Edson Alvarez, Areola etc in such a way, I.e. to ostracize good players?
After all these players are assets of West Ham and his actions diminish the value of our team both on the football pitch as well as on the transfer value of these players.
And something much more serious. How about the infamous connections of Nuno with football agents….using players like Pablo who is sharing the same agent, who has to score a goal since World War 2??
Not quite WW2, scored last month against Lincoln.
One thing that bothers me is that none of the critics of Nuno do not emphasize enough his selfish behavior as a manager which was so detrimental to the team.
Isn’t it unacceptable to treat athletes of our club like GWP, Edson Alvarez, Areola etc in such a way, I.e. to ostracize good players?
After all these players are assets of West Ham and his actions diminish the value of our team both on the football pitch as well as on the transfer value of these players.
And something much more serious. How about the infamous connections of Nuno with football agents….using players like Pablo who is shaping the same agent, who has to score a goal since World War 2??
For fun in a 4-3-3, still like my previous 3-4(diamond)-3.
Areola, Veltman, Golambeckis, Morato, Mayers.
Orford, Alvarez, Mukasa,
Bowen, Piroe, Ajala.
Magassa on for Alvarez as both lacking match fitness, same for Scarles on for Mayers and Austbo or Solomon on for Ajala. Ajala adds speed, a good 1st touch and I hope him and Piroe can combine well together as Piroe good at playing in teammates.
I hope he does not play Soucek and Alvarez together!
No idea about Parker and his record is what it is. I hope it works out and he is progressive, carries on learning on the job with a better squad, bigger club. Great it is an ex-player, of course.
Big fan of the academy players and the style of play taught by Mark Robson. He seems to get them to punch above their weight, real team spirit and players enjoying it all. Would have liked to see him come in with Nolan for example,… but not complaining, it was a gamble and just looking forward to seeing the back of all this turmoil and damage to the club. A ways to go, but I’m looking forward to better times and a better run club. We’ll get there and if Parker enjoys his time at WHU and has success, that will be absolutely perfect.
There are some nonsense comments about. Reality check, its all about this season. Nothing else. Get us auto promotion. given all the off field antics, we have done well to make a swift move, and now lets go forward. 6-8 weeks to look at what he has, bring a few outcasts back in the mix, manybe add in jan, but need to be top 3 at least. But the squad, should have been doing much better.
Not my first choice either, am hoping that Noble alongside is an inspired choice.
Am always open to being proved wrong and hope I am COYI
We will win tonight, and all the doubters will be silenced with the appointment of Scotty
“Lots of talented managers out there” allegedly, but nobody ever says who they are.
Everybody just wants the latest media star or hot shot glamorous foreign name. Like that’s really worked well for us over the past few years. Give the guy (Parker) a chance at least. Supporters are far too fickle these days
Agree Mick. No ambition from the board, so many good managers out there not even approched…Pep, Nagelsmann to name two. Or Howe. I am sure they would come running to manage our Championship club… Hey, be realistic. I love to see Scotty and Nobes fulfilling our main goal ; promotion. Scottys done it three times before. Good choice.
Not my pick by a very long chalk,but he is our manager now and I wish him every success and hope the Hammers win playing the beautiful game, the beautiful way.
Not my first choice, but with the players he now has at his disposal, he needs to be given a chance.
This could be a good appointment, Parker knows what it’s like to represent West Ham and has a genuine connection unlike past recent managers, with the right support can do very well. I wish him the best of luck COYIs
I really hope Scott is a success & stays with us for many years so WH fans can enjoy supporting us with a collective positive attitude towards our team including myself (as it has been hard to think positive in recent years particularly for me with Luno!)
For me the jury is out in relation to the appointment of Scotty, his management record doesn’t set any fields on fire. I can only hope that he performs as well as the manager as he did when he played for us.
Fingers crossed that our memories of him aren’t shattered by management as has happened to so many ex-players at various clubs as well as our own.
Now it’s up to the players to step up to the mark and show their true passion and desire for the club and us.
Good luck Scotty, welcome back- COYI.