West Ham United sacked Nuno Espírito Santo from his role as head coach, as former Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley boss Scott Parker is close to becoming his successor in East London.

West Ham have officially parted company with Nuno Espírito Santo after 13 games into the 2026/27 Championship season, with the 52-year-old having won just six league games at this stage - less than half.

Now, it appears as though the Hammers have already found their replacement for the Portuguese in the form of Scott Parker, with the former England and West Ham midfielder set to become the new head coach at the London Stadium imminently.

Parker has been out of work since leaving Burnley in April 2026, having previously guided each of Fulham, Bournemouth, and the Clarets to the Premier League.

The 46-year-old will be keen to stamp his authority on the West Ham squad as soon as possible, and may well already be looking ahead to the January window, as Football League World takes a look at three players that could follow Parker to the London Stadium this winter.

Josh Brownhill

English midfielder Josh Brownhill spent one season under Parker at Burnley during the 2024/25 campaign, in which the Clarets amassed 100 points in the Championship and conceded just 16 league goals across the entire year.

Brownhill was pivotal to that success, scoring 18 and assisting six in 42 league games from the middle of the park, finishing behind only current Hammers striker Joel Piroe on 19 and level with former Norwich City midfielder Borja Sainz.

The 30-year-old, who has spent time with the likes of Preston North End, Barnsley, and Bristol City before joining Burnley, headed to Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab on a free transfer in the summer of 2025, where he remains today.

According to TEAMtalk, West Ham were one of numerous clubs interested in bringing the midfielder back to the United Kingdom over the summer, with Al-Shabab looking to reduce their wage bill, but no move ever materialised.

It would be no surprise to see Brownhill back in England again sooner rather than later, and reuniting with Parker in the Claret and Blue of another club could be a match made in heaven this January.

Tom Cairney

Coming through the ranks of Hull City before spells with Blackburn Rovers and Fulham followed, 35-year-old midfielder Tom Cairney has made over 550 career appearances, with nearly 400 of those coming for Fulham.

These days, Cairney earns the majority of his minutes from the bench, but remains a key figure in the Cottagers' hierarchy and a hugely popular member of the squad.

However, with his current terms set to expire in the summer of 2027 and no renewal in sight, the Scot could well be in his final year as a Fulham player, but if Parker has his way, he may not get to see it out.

Cairney made 63 appearances across all competitions under Parker, including 39 Championship games during the 2019/20 season in which Fulham prevailed in the play-off final over Brentford.

West Ham currently lack many experienced heads in the squad, as well as general midfield options, and Cairney would provide a boost both on and off the pitch.

Certainly not one for the future, but one that could help the Hammers get over the line; it would be no surprise if Parker were to be keen to reunite with Cairney in the capital once more this winter, and on a cheap deal, he could be an underrated capture.

Who would you like to see follow Scott Parker to West Ham in January? Do you agree with any of our picks? Share your thoughts below!

Philip Billing

Danish midfielder Philip Billing first moved to the United Kingdom with Huddersfield Town in 2013, progressing through the Terriers' ranks before joining Bournemouth in 2019.

The towering Dane quickly became a favourite on the South Coast, and following Bournemouth's relegation in 2020, Billing retained his place in the squad before Parker arrived at the helm and, under the soon-to-be West Ham boss, thrived.

In the 2021/22 campaign, Billing scored ten and assisted ten in 40 Championship games, averaging a direct goal contribution every other game from midfield, playing a crucial role in the Cherries' promotion back to the Premier League under Parker.

The English head coach would be dismissed shortly into his tenure in the top flight with Bournemouth, as Billing has since enjoyed a loan spell with Napoli before returning to Denmark in 2025 with FC Midtjylland.

Under a long-term contract with Midtjylland, the 30-year-old wouldn't come especially cheap, but could be a real game-changer for the Hammers, and with Parker knowing exactly how to get the best out of him, could be a wonderful fit in the English capital.