Credit: Imago

West Ham must accelerate Nuno sack amid Chelsea merry-go round latest

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at Sports Mole and VAVEL; Masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. FOCUS Breaking news, long-form analysis, and club-level insight across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Declan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the depth behind the headlines — from breaking news to analytical deep-dives — to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

05 Jan 2026, 2:40 am

West Ham have to sack Nuno Espirito Santo as soon as possible amid the chaos across London at Chelsea.

Nuno has won just two of his 15 Premier League matches as West Ham manager, and looks destined to lead them to relegation.

Chelsea and Enzo Maresca parted ways on New Year's Day, and the Stamford Bridge side's managerial merry-go-round may cause a knock-on effect for the Hammers.

The Blues look set to hire Liam Rosenior as their next permanent manager, with a familiar face set to take the vacancy at fellow BlueCo-owned Strasbourg.

🚨 Liam Rosenior, in London to become new Chelsea head coach this week as soon as RC Strasbourg find replacement.

Process expected to be fast with Chelsea ready for their new era. 💙🔜

🎥➕ https://t.co/b6r50nWfJn pic.twitter.com/vzbGtkM1Xy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2026

West Ham favourite set to replace Chelsea-bound Liam Rosenior

Gary O'Neil was understood to be on West Ham's shortlist when Graham Potter was sacked, but they ended up hiring Nuno.

If they want to hire him this time around, then they would have to act quickly and sack the Portuguese boss immediately.

The ex-Wolves and Bournemouth manager is in line to replace Rosenior in France, according to a report from Jacob Steinberg on 4 January.

Gary O’Neil emerging as a contender for the Strasbourg job. https://t.co/wWdgLCiC3E
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) January 4, 2026

However, he would surely jump at the chance to manage in the top-flight of English football again, at the club he spent two seasons with between 2011 and 2013.

Read More: James Ward-Prowse makes West Ham escape decision amid Nuno Espirito Santo freeze out

What is Gary O'Neill's record in management?

O'Neil's task would be clear if he came in at Rush Green, keep the Irons in the division, and stop the rot.

He previously kept the Cherries in the top-flight after replacing Scott Parker in August 2022, but that was not enough to keep his job.

O'Neill has managed a total of 88 Premier League matches
His sides have won 25 of those matches
He has recorded 16 draws and 47 losses, and a total of 91 points from a possible 264

Andoni Iraola was appointed on the south coast in June 2023, and O'Neill ended up joining the Old Gold instead.

He led the Molineux club to a 14th-place finish in an impressive first season, but the following campaign did not go as planned.

He departed the Midlands outfit with them sitting four points from safety in December 2024, and has not been in management since.

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Gary O'Neil

Nuno Espirito Santo