Pressure is mounting on the West Ham board to sack Nuno Espirito Santo after a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season.
2nd November 2025; London Stadium, London, England; Premier League Football, West Ham United versus Newcastle United; West Ham United crest on the managers seat in the dugout PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK JohnxPatrickxFletcher Content restricted for UK based newspaper
2nd November 2025; London Stadium, London, England; Premier League Football, West Ham United versus Newcastle United; West Ham United crest on the managers seat in the dugout PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK JohnxPatrickxFletcher Content restricted for UK based newspaper
Nuno Espirito Santo’s future at West Ham United is under increasing pressure following a disappointing start to the Championship season.
The Hammers are struggling to meet expectations as promotion favourites and dropped to eighth after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
West Ham are targeting an immediate return to the Premier League after suffering relegation last season, but consecutive home defeats have damaged their promotion hopes. They now occupy the final play-off position, four points behind second-placed Swansea City.
Although Nuno is expected to be given time to turn things around, frustration is growing among key figures at the club, with supporters also expressing their dissatisfaction during the West Brom defeat.
The Portuguese initially survived despite failing to prevent relegation last season, largely because Daniel Kretinsky supported continuity while former joint-chairman David Sullivan favoured a managerial change.
Sullivan has since resigned as a joint-chairman and director, while Kretinsky became the club’s largest shareholder in September after increasing his stake to 46%.
Any decision on Nuno’s future will be made collectively by the board, with interim CEO Karim Virani and recruitment director Nils Koppen also expected to have their say.
West Ham travel to Cardiff City on Wednesday night, with further pressure likely if they fail to improve before the November international break.
According to Hammers News, former Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy would be open to taking charge at the London Stadium if Nuno is dismissed.
Bellamy was previously considered alongside Scott Parker and Kieran McKenna as a potential replacement but ultimately remained in charge of Wales.
He rejected an approach from Burnley in the summer, believing he owed it to his country to continue in the role. However, Wales’ Nations League campaign concludes during the November international break, potentially making the timing of a West Ham approach ideal.
Hammers News also reports that Bellamy has a £700,000 release clause, which is not expected to be an obstacle for Kretinsky and the club’s new-look board. Bellamy remains popular among West Ham supporters, who appreciate his attacking philosophy and affection for the club.
Bellamy, who retired from international football in 2013 began his coaching career with Cardiff City’s academy before serving as assistant manager to former Manchester City team-mate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley.
The 47-eyar-old ended his playing career with hometown club Cardiff City, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League in 2014.
Having started at Norwich City, his career also included spells at several of British football’s biggest clubs, including Newcastle United, Celtic, Manchester City and Liverpool, where he had two spells between 2006 and 2007 and 2011 and 2012.
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