West Ham confirm Nuno Espirito Santo stay

West Ham United failed to preserve their Premier League status on the final day despite recording a convincing victory, but manager Nuno Espírito Santo — who had faced uncertainty over his future following the club’s relegation — has now been confirmed to remain in charge.

All indications pointed that West Ham were ready to part ways with Nuno Espirito, after their relegation to the Championship; however, things have taken a different turn, after the club has confirmed his stay at the London Stadium.

West Ham finished 18th in the Premier League table and went into the final day clinging to slim survival hopes, needing results elsewhere to go their way.

The Hammers were relying on fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur to drop points against Everton, but a 1-0 victory for Roberto De Zerbi’s side ultimately confirmed West Ham’s relegation.

However, an official statement has now been released to confirm Espirito Santo will not be sacked.

A statement from the Hammers on Wednesday read: “First of all, thank you for the magnificent backing you gave the team throughout Sunday’s match at London Stadium. The players responded by giving it their all but, sadly, the victory against Leeds United wasn’t enough to get us to safety.

“Relegation is obviously not the outcome that anyone at West Ham United would have wanted when the Premier League season started last August.

“For every single person who is passionate about the Club, it hurts deeply and that feeling will sustain for some time.

“As a Board we cannot shy away from the fact our season has not been good enough. We know you, the supporters, have backed the team constantly as always and your loyalty and commitment has not been matched by our final league position.

“We also understand the frustration that many of you feel about the direction the Club has headed in recent years.

It continued by saying: “Although relegation is not what any of us wanted, we now have to look forward.

“The Board must now review every aspect of the Club’s operation to ensure that when we return to the Premier League – hopefully in August 2027 – we are a better West Ham United in every way, on and off the pitch.

“The football operation always has to be our first priority and the planning for next season started as soon as the final whistle sounded on Sunday.

“We held meetings with Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo early this week and are pleased to confirm that he has expressed his continued commitment to the Club – as we have to him.

“Nuno made it very clear that he is highly motivated for the challenge of guiding West Ham United back to the top flight at the first time of asking. That must be the unquestionable goal for next season.

“Nuno has spent one previous year in the EFL Championship and it was an outstanding success as he secured 99 points to win the title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018.

“While the ultimate outcome on Sunday was a painful one, the Board of Directors believe that there have been broader signs of improvement and progress in recent months, and we want Nuno to continue developing that progress.

“A total of 25 points taken from our final 17 Premier League matches equated to 1.47 points per game – a ratio that would have resulted in a seventh-place finish across the full season.

“Furthermore, we feel the clear improvement in squad mentality and togetherness since January, leading to that upturn in performances and results, makes him the right man to lead us forward.”