West Ham confirm Nuno Espirito Santo stays on despite Premier League relegation

West Ham United have confirmed that head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will remain in charge at the London Stadium following the club’s relegation to the Championship, ending speculation that the Portuguese manager would be dismissed after a crisis board meeting earlier this week.

The Hammers were relegated on the final day of the Premier League season despite a thumping victory over Leeds United, with results elsewhere condemning them to the second tier. Reports had suggested Nuno’s position was under serious threat, with senior figures at the club convening to discuss his future.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the West Ham board acknowledged the pain of relegation while pointing to a late-season recovery as evidence that Nuno remains the right man to lead the club back to the top flight. The board noted that West Ham collected 25 points from their final 17 Premier League matches — a rate of 1.47 points per game that, applied across a full season, would have been sufficient for a seventh-place finish.

“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,” the statement read. “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.”

The board also highlighted Nuno’s previous experience in the Championship as a key factor in the decision, referencing his 2017-18 season with Wolverhampton Wanderers, in which he guided the club to the title with a record 99 points.

Nuno, 52, joined West Ham on a contract running until 2028 after replacing Graham Potter. The board stated that a return to the Premier League by August 2027 is the club’s “unquestionable goal” and that a full review of every aspect of the club’s operation is now underway.

“As a Board we cannot shy away from the fact our season has not been good enough,” the statement continued. “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.”