Nuno Espírito Santo is the current West Ham United head coach. The Portuguese was appointed on 27 September 2025, becoming the 20th permanent manager or head coach in the club’s history.
Nuno remained in charge following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League in May 2026 and is leading the club’s attempt to secure an immediate return from the Championship.
West Ham’s managerial history stretches back to Syd King in 1902 and includes trophy-winning figures such as Ron Greenwood, John Lyall and David Moyes.
For the wider story of the club, see our West Ham United history guide.
Who is the current West Ham manager?
Nuno Espírito Santo is the current West Ham head coach.
West Ham appointed Nuno on 27 September 2025 following the departure of Graham Potter. The club describes him as its 20th permanent manager/head coach.
Before joining West Ham, Nuno had managed:
- Rio Ave
- Valencia
- Porto
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Al-Ittihad
- Nottingham Forest
His experience at Wolves is particularly relevant to West Ham’s current position. Nuno won the 2017/18 Championship title with 99 points, and West Ham entered 2026/27 with the stated aim of earning immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
Nuno Espírito Santo at West Ham
| Role | Head Coach |
| Appointed | 27 September 2025 |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Previous club | Nottingham Forest |
| West Ham managerial number | 20th permanent manager/head coach |
| Current competition | EFL Championship |
| 2026/27 objective | Promotion to the Premier League |
Nuno confirmed after relegation that he would remain at London Stadium following discussions with the board. West Ham said he had taken 25 points from the final 17 matches of 2025/26, despite the club ultimately going down.
Full list of West Ham permanent managers
West Ham’s official history identifies 20 permanent managers/head coaches from Syd King through to Nuno Espírito Santo.
| Manager | West Ham tenure |
|---|---|
| Syd King | 1902–1932 |
| Charlie Paynter | 1932–1950 |
| Ted Fenton | 1950–1961 |
| Ron Greenwood | 1961–1974 |
| John Lyall | 1974–1989 |
| Lou Macari | 1989–1990 |
| Billy Bonds | 1990–1994 |
| Harry Redknapp | 1994–2001 |
| Glenn Roeder | 2001–2003 |
| Alan Pardew | 2003–2006 |
| Alan Curbishley | 2006–2008 |
| Gianfranco Zola | 2008–2010 |
| Avram Grant | 2010–2011 |
| Sam Allardyce | 2011–2015 |
| Slaven Bilić | 2015–2017 |
| David Moyes | 2017–2018 and 2019–2024 |
| Manuel Pellegrini | 2018–2019 |
| Julen Lopetegui | 2024–2025 |
| Graham Potter | 2025 |
| Nuno Espírito Santo | 2025–present |
The chronology, including temporary spells for Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keen, is also recorded by Soccerbase.
Who was West Ham’s first manager?
Syd King was West Ham United’s first full-time manager.
King originally joined Thames Ironworks as a player before becoming club secretary in 1902, a role that included responsibility for team selection and training.
He remained in charge for more than 30 years.
During King’s tenure, West Ham moved to the Boleyn Ground in 1904, entered the Football League in 1919 and reached their first FA Cup final in 1923.
His longevity is remarkable by modern football standards.
King managed 638 matches, winning 248.
Ted Fenton and the Academy of Football
Ted Fenton’s importance goes well beyond results.
Fenton became West Ham manager in 1950 and helped establish the development system that became associated with the club’s Academy of Football identity.
West Ham credits him with building a philosophy around scouting and developing outstanding young players.
Under Fenton, West Ham also won the Second Division title in 1957/58, returning to the top flight.
His work laid important foundations for the team Ron Greenwood inherited.
Ron Greenwood brings West Ham major trophies
Ron Greenwood is one of the defining managers in West Ham history.
He took charge in 1961 and built upon the development philosophy established under Fenton.
Greenwood oversaw the emergence of players including:
- Bobby Moore
- Geoff Hurst
- Martin Peters
and delivered West Ham’s first major trophies.
Ron Greenwood honours
FA Cup: 1964
European Cup Winners’ Cup: 1965
Charity Shield: 1964, shared
West Ham beat Preston North End 3-2 in the 1964 FA Cup final before defeating 1860 Munich 2-0 at Wembley to win the European Cup Winners’ Cup the following year.
Greenwood later moved upstairs, allowing John Lyall to take over.
John Lyall: West Ham’s most successful manager
West Ham’s own official history describes John Lyall as the most successful manager in the club’s history.
Lyall managed West Ham for approximately 15 years and took charge of 770 matches, more than any other West Ham manager listed in the club’s official managerial records.
John Lyall’s major achievements
- FA Cup winner – 1975
- European Cup Winners’ Cup runner-up – 1976
- FA Cup winner – 1980
- Second Division champion – 1980/81
- Third in the First Division – 1985/86
The 1985/86 league finish remains one of the great seasons in West Ham history.
Lyall’s longevity combined with two FA Cups and major European and league achievements gives him a unique place in the club’s managerial story.
Billy Bonds and promotion
Another club legend later took charge from the dugout.
Billy Bonds became manager in February 1990 after spending the overwhelming majority of his playing career with West Ham.
He led the club to promotion to the top flight in 1990/91, as well as an FA Cup semi-final.
West Ham were relegated the following season, but Bonds delivered another promotion in 1992/93, taking the Hammers into the newly created Premier League.
He left in August 1994 and was replaced by Harry Redknapp.
Harry Redknapp’s West Ham era
Harry Redknapp managed West Ham from 1994 until 2001.
His era became associated with an exciting generation of academy talent and technically gifted players.
Players emerging or developing during that period included:
- Rio Ferdinand
- Frank Lampard
- Joe Cole
- Michael Carrick
Redknapp also led West Ham to fifth place in the Premier League in 1998/99, one of the club’s strongest finishes of the Premier League era.
That season also led into West Ham’s 1999 Intertoto Cup success.
Alan Pardew and the 2006 FA Cup final
Alan Pardew became West Ham manager in 2003.
He guided the club back into the Premier League through the 2005 Championship play-offs, defeating Preston North End in the final.
The following season brought another memorable campaign.
West Ham finished ninth in the Premier League and reached the 2006 FA Cup final, losing to Liverpool on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw.
It remains West Ham’s most recent FA Cup final appearance.
Sam Allardyce takes West Ham back up
West Ham appointed Sam Allardyce following relegation in 2011.
His first job was straightforward but difficult: return the club to the Premier League.
Allardyce achieved it immediately.
West Ham defeated Blackpool in the 2012 Championship play-off final at Wembley, securing promotion at the first attempt.
He then kept West Ham in the Premier League throughout the remainder of his four-year tenure.
Given West Ham’s current Championship position, that promotion campaign is once again particularly relevant to the club’s managerial history.
Slaven Bilić and the final Boleyn season
Former West Ham defender Slaven Bilić returned as manager in 2015.
His first season became one of the most memorable of the Premier League era.
West Ham finished seventh in 2015/16 and recorded major victories during the final campaign at the Boleyn Ground.
The season ended with the famous 3-2 victory over Manchester United in the stadium’s final competitive match before the move to London Stadium.
Bilić remained in charge until November 2017.
David Moyes and West Ham’s European revival
David Moyes is unique among West Ham’s recent managers because he had two separate spells in charge.
He was initially appointed in November 2017 and left after securing Premier League survival at the end of that season.
Moyes returned in December 2019.
His second spell transformed West Ham’s modern European history.
Under Moyes, West Ham:
- finished sixth in the Premier League in 2020/21
- reached the Europa League semi-finals in 2021/22
- finished seventh in 2021/22
- won the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League
- reached the Europa League quarter-finals in 2023/24
The Conference League victory against Fiorentina ended West Ham’s 43-year wait for a major trophy.
Moyes managed 262 West Ham matches across his two spells, winning 112.
That makes him one of the most significant managers of the modern era.
Lopetegui and Potter: a period of rapid change
Julen Lopetegui succeeded Moyes in summer 2024.
The former Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla coach became West Ham’s first full-time head coach, reflecting a change in the club’s football structure.
His tenure lasted only 22 competitive matches before he left in January 2025.
Graham Potter replaced him on 9 January 2025.
Potter managed 25 matches, winning six, before leaving on 27 September 2025.
Nuno Espírito Santo was appointed the same day.
Which West Ham managers have won major trophies?
Three managers stand above the rest for West Ham’s recognised major honours.
| Manager | Major West Ham trophies |
|---|---|
| Ron Greenwood | FA Cup 1964, European Cup Winners’ Cup 1965 |
| John Lyall | FA Cup 1975, FA Cup 1980 |
| David Moyes | Europa Conference League 2023 |
West Ham’s official honours record also includes the 1999 Intertoto Cup, won during Harry Redknapp’s reign.
West Ham caretaker managers
Not every West Ham managerial spell has been permanent.
Trevor Brooking
Club legend Trevor Brooking had two caretaker spells during 2003.
His record was remarkable: nine wins, four draws and only one defeat in 14 matches, giving him a 64.29% win percentage.
The sample is small, so it should not be compared directly with managers who took charge of hundreds of matches.
Kevin Keen
Former West Ham midfielder and coach Kevin Keen also took temporary charge on several occasions between permanent appointments.
West Ham manager records
Who has managed West Ham the most times?
John Lyall, with 770 matches in charge.
Who is West Ham’s longest-serving manager?
Syd King spent more than 30 years in charge from 1902 until 1932.
Who is West Ham’s most successful manager?
West Ham officially describes John Lyall as the club’s most successful manager. His achievements include two FA Cups and the club’s highest-ever league finish.
Which West Ham manager won a European trophy most recently?
David Moyes, who led West Ham to the 2023 Europa Conference League title.
West Ham managers FAQ
Who is West Ham’s manager now?
Nuno Espírito Santo is West Ham’s current head coach. He was appointed on 27 September 2025.
Is Nuno Espírito Santo still West Ham manager?
Yes. Nuno remained in charge following relegation in 2026 and is leading West Ham’s attempt to return to the Premier League.
How many permanent managers have West Ham had?
Nuno Espírito Santo became West Ham’s 20th permanent manager/head coach when appointed in September 2025.
Who managed West Ham before Nuno?
Graham Potter, who managed West Ham between January and September 2025.
Who managed West Ham before Graham Potter?
Julen Lopetegui, who took charge in summer 2024 and left in January 2025.
How many times did David Moyes manage West Ham?
Moyes had two spells: 2017/18 and December 2019 to the end of 2023/24.
Which West Ham manager won the Conference League?
David Moyes led West Ham to victory over Fiorentina in the 2023 Europa Conference League final.
Which West Ham manager won the 1980 FA Cup?
John Lyall managed West Ham to the 1980 FA Cup triumph.
The West Ham manager’s job today
West Ham’s managerial challenge has changed repeatedly across more than 120 years.
The club has moved from the Boleyn Ground to London Stadium, from domestic cup success to modern European competition and now, in 2026/27, into another Championship promotion campaign.
For Nuno Espírito Santo, the immediate measurement is considerably simpler than much of the abstract discussion in the original draft:
Can he return West Ham to the Premier League?
That result will ultimately determine where his tenure sits alongside the managers who shaped the club before him.
