West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following an underwhelming start to the club’s bid to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Telegraph Sport understands that consideration has already been given to Nuno’s replacement, with the club’s former midfielder Scott Parker among the front-runners to succeed the Portuguese.

Nuno failed to save the Hammers 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 early favourite to replace Nuno. He has experience of winning promotion to the Premier League with Burnley and Fulham.

It is likely that Parker would be a popular appointment with West Ham fans, following a four-year playing spell with the club.

Another option for West Ham would be Rob Edwards who was sacked by Wolverhampton Wanderers, following their relegation from the Premier League. He left Middlebrough when the club were second in the Championship last November and has experience of winning promotion to the Premier League with Luton Town.

West Ham travel to Cardiff City on Wednesday night, for which Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will prepare the team.

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 underway.”