Scott Parker was the name on the lips of most fans and pundits before West Ham United confirmed that Nuno Espirito Santo would stay at the London Stadium.
Hammers News can confirm that, after taking Fulham, Bournemouth and most recently Burnley out of the Championship, Parker was a genuine candidate to take Nuno’s job.
That was before Daniel Kretinsky emerged victorious over David Sullivan in a boardroom power-struggle. Kretinsky wanted Nuno Espirito Santo to stick around at West Ham United, and the Czech billionaire got his wish.
Nuno stays! Tell us how YOU are feeling about the big news!
Vote below 👇
Scott Parker, though, was not the only former Hammers midfielder reportedly in contention. Strasbourg coach Gary O’Neil was mentioned as well, via the media.
Hammers News were told that a return to East London was always considered highly unlikely, however, for a man who still has two years left on the contract he signed when replacing Liam Rosenior at the Stade de la Meinau in the winter.
Gary O’Neil stays at Strasbourg as West Ham United retain Nuno Espirito Santo
Marc Keller, Strasbourg’s president, has now informed DNA Sports that O’Neil will still be at the helm when 2026/27 kicks off.
“We are very happy with his work and he is very happy with Le Racing,” Keller said.
In truth, an ‘angry’ O’Neil did not sound like a ‘very happy’ man recently. He lambasted the club following what he felt was a ‘messed up’ January window, blaming a failure to secure European qualification on transfer dealings which he felt left Strasbourg weaker in 2026 than they were in 2025.
“Gary is involved, motivated, and has begun work on the squad for next season,” Keller hits back. “His objective consists of increasing the rhythm and our levels of expectations because teams in the top eight [of Ligue 1] are moving quickly.”
A summer of sales looms! Who will you miss the most?
Still only 43, Strasbourg is the third destination in O’Neil’s embryonic managerial career. A former West Ham midfielder who spent two years at Upton Park from 2011 to 2013, O’Neil moved to France after being replaced by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth.
Despite finishing outside the European spots and exiting the Conference League at the hands of runners-up Rayo Vallecano, O’Neil has still won an impressive 13 of 27 matches in charge at Strasbourg.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
