Should they part ways with Nuno Espírito Santo, a couple of former West Ham players are already being suggested as hit-the-ground-running replacements ready to do an immediate job in the Championship.
West Ham have been linked with both Scott Parker and Gary O’Neil for the manager’s job, but there’s a major complication which the club cannot ignore that may well come into Sullivan’s decision making.
Gary O’Neil is currently under a long‑term contract at Strasbourg, a club owned by BlueCo, the same ownership group behind Chelsea. That means any West Ham approach would trigger a minimum seven‑figure compensation demand, and with his deal running until June 2029, Strasbourg hold all the power.
O’Neil is represented by Unique Sports Group, the agency of Will Salthouse, who is known to have close ties to one West Ham board member.
There’s a reason Strasbourg won’t want to lose him. Since taking over in January, O’Neil has delivered 13 wins, six draws and eight defeats across 27 matches, an impressive turnaround.
Before his managerial rise, O’Neil played 48 games for West Ham between 2011–2013, scoring three goals and helping the club win the 2012 Championship Play‑Off Final under Sam Allardyce. Known as a hard‑working, tactically disciplined midfielder, he has carried those traits into his coaching career.
An experienced manager and former West Ham player
His managerial CV is already packed with drama. He kept Bournemouth in the Premier League in 2023 before being replaced by Andoni Iraola, yet was then announced as Head Coach at Wolves in August 2023, guiding them to 14th place and an FA Cup quarter‑final. The following season, with Wolves sitting 19th and four points from safety, he was dismissed in December 2024.
Despite that setback, O’Neil remains highly regarded. Strasbourg appointed him swiftly after Liam Rosenior’s short‑lived move to Chelsea and they won’t let him go easily.
Whether West Ham are willing to pay compensation for a manager already in work remains uncertain.
Few fans would expect David Sullivan to change the habit of a lifetime and spend money on getting ‘the best’ manager available when ‘free’ ones are normally the Chairman’s pick.
Free and ready to hit the ground running: Scott Parker is likely ti be Sullivan’s preference
With Scott Parker currently a free agent and reportedly open to the soon to be vacant role, the cheaper, more straightforward option may prove far more appealing than triggering a buyout for O’Neil.
Reports last night suggest Mark Noble is keen on Parker’s arrival, and the odds seem to be strongly in Parker’s corner.
I’m all for keeping Nuno and Paco if we can, for stability if nothing else.
Agree with much of the other comments, neither of these potential new managers will give anybody, players or fans, a boost for the start of next season – if anything the opposite.
Parker an ok choice but better than Nuno? Kretinsky get a grip or Sully will flush more of your investment down the toilet.
I like Parker and he’s a West Ham at heart. I think he can do a job for us in the championship and if we get promoted we can judge him then. He was a wholehearted player for us and will be as a manager, the real problem is those above him. Bring him on!
I remember saying the same thing when Potter was sacked – now is a crucial time for WHU and club must get a very good manager in, who will take the club forwards long term.
I still hope Kretinsky has a say as joint chairman, preferably a veto which is a bit unfair on Parker as I have no idea how good he is.
Jemez, Craig Bellamy and someone suggested Nolan as assistant. Bellamy is making a good reputation for himself, while Jemez is credited with WHU turnaround rather than NES.
This is why West Ham need a professional recruitment team with serious people using the best data technology we can afford. It’s hard to judge who is the best candidate but it’s probably not a popular ex player who is free.
According to this he’s a very negative coach with high levels of pointless possession relying on a clinical front man to score against the run of play. (Paul- links aren’t allowed on C and H so in future posts with links in will be auto-deleted-MT).
Can he get that team for the championship, let’s not worry about the Premiership altough it’s clear why he fails in it.
Maybe he can get us up and worry about it then. At least he’s a popular player who will bring a slight feel good factor. Don’t forget though he took JWP on loan at Burnley so how good a judge is he?
Great player for us won awards and earned them but begged to leave when we relegated
and went to Tottenham so not for me.
Either candidate fills me with dread as Sullivan will yet again pick a dull, low block manager who will play horrible football. Many fans have had enough of all this nonsense but we all know sulli will revert to type and offer up yet another pragmatic manager who will bore us to death.
Yep, well done Sullivan – let’s get ready for League one !
He has alienated a whole generation of fans and a lot won’t step one foot inside the Bowl
while he remains – to be honest, I think the man’s lost the plot completely.
So true 👏🙏🏻
Whatever the question may have been, Parker is NOT the answer.
I am no “managerial expert”, but Scott Parker sounds good to me – ex player (exceptional) & with experience of getting Burnley promoted. Both of those make him an understandable choice for West Ham. What could possibly go wrong ?!?
Sullivan will not pay for a manager as managers do not amortise as players do.
I do not have confidence in the deranged decisions stopping any time soon and I’m concerned that he may be losing it.
The premier league is a comfort zone of huge revenues that make up for costly mistakes, the Championship is not, it is unforgiving so things must be got right.
I do not have confidence in things suddenly being got right.
👏I think he lost it a good time ago, just hasn’t been diagnosed yet. 🙏🏻
BTW Johnny Ayris , tidy player.
Can we have new owners please.