West Ham looked at a staggering 10 managers as candidates to replace Nuno Espirito Santo in the 60 hours between the defeat to West Brom and his sacking before choosing ‘standout’ Scott Parker, Hammers News can reveal.

Reaction from Hammers fans has been mixed to the imminent appointment of Scott Parker, after Nuno Espirito Santo was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning.

While the majority have fond memories of Parker from his playing days at West Ham, where he won three consecutive Hammer of the Year awards, some have not forgotten he handed in a transfer request to join bitter rivals Tottenham when the east Londoners were relegated under Avram Grant.

West Ham feel Parker is the best of 10 candidates looked at to replace Nuno

There is also some concern among doubters that the appointment lacks ambition given Parker’s poor record as a Premier League manager.

However, others point to the former midfielder’s brilliant record as a Championship manager as reason enough to bring him back to east London.

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It's a huge game as West Ham head to Cardiff 👀 How do you see this one playing out?

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Because Hammers News can reveal West Ham felt Parker, who will be unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday, was the ‘standout’ candidate of 10 managers assessed by the board and Nils Koppen.

The exact identity of those managers considered remains a mystery but it was a mixture of well-known names and some left-field choices from abroad.

Parker was, according to a leading source at West Ham, the clear choice.

“Ten managers were looked at, but he was the stand out candidate due to his record of promotion with three different clubs,” the leading West Ham source told Hammers News.

“Being an ex-player who knew the club also helped.”

When asked when fans can expect to hear from their new manager, the source revealed legal paperwork when appointing managers can be time-consuming.

“Lawyers and agents are doing the necessary paperwork and it takes time,” the source said.

“It could be announced late tonight and then the manager properly unveiled tomorrow.”

It remains unclear whether Parker will take charge of the team at Cardiff or whether that will be left to Mark Noble, who is reportedly set to join the coaching team for at least the rest of the season.

The size of Parker’s task will already be clear to him this evening as results elsewhere mean the highest West Ham can go in the Championship table with a win is sixth.

Hammers News revealed the key reasons West Ham are appointing Parker.

We also reported first how Nuno’s treatment of and stubbornness with several West Ham outcasts played a big part in his sacking.

While debate will continue over Parker’s appointment, most seem in agreement that Nuno was fortunate not to have been shown the door in the summer.

After picking up his P45 following 13 largely uninspiring months in east London, Newcastle are one of five clubs Nuno is being tipped to join.