West Ham United have reacted to reports that Nottingham Forest have swooped to make hugely popular new coach Paco Jemez their replacement for Sean Dyche.
The Hammers were handed a major boost in their battle with Nottingham Forest for Premier League survival this week.
When West Ham threw away two vital points by conceding a 96th minute equaliser against Man United on Tuesday, it felt ominous in their fight for safety given Forest played Wolves 24 hours later.
But Nottingham Forest were held to a 0-0 draw by the team on course to be the worst in Premier League history.
As a result, the Hammers are just three points behind Nottingham Forest in the safety of 17th place.
Chaotic Forest give West Ham real hope of survival
The Tricky Trees play Liverpool next in the league while West Ham face Bournemouth the day before, giving Nuno Espirito Santo’s side a chance to seriously pile on the pressure.
Many feel West Ham were further boosted when Forest chief Evangelos Marinakis sacked Sean Dyche after Forest’s 0-0 draw with Wolves.
Things are about to get VERY tough! 😟
How many points can you see us picking up here?
West Ham United's Portuguese head coach Nuno Espírito Santo reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London Stadium in east London on February 10, 2026.
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Leading journalists have since claimed that West Ham boss Nuno had a direct hand in Marinakis’ Forest head loss.
Now it is being reported Nuno’s new partner in crime at West Ham could have a direct hand in Forest’s attempts to dump the Irons into the Championship.
Sean Dyche checks his watch but time is up for him at Nottingham Forest
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was named the favourite to take over from Dyche at the City Ground.
But rumours, purportedly started by The Athletic, claimed that Marinakis has approached new Hammers coach Paco Jemez about the vacancy.
Now West Ham have reacted to the reported Nottingham Forest swoop for no-nonsense Jemez.
The Spaniard, who last managed Ibiza earlier this season, has been a huge hit since arriving at West Ham.
The fearsome coach is on his way to cult hero status after being spotted berating Nuno for bringing on the unpopular Max Kilman when the Hammers were winning.
West Ham react to Forest swoop for no-nonsense coach Jemez
Jemez has also been widely praised by senior West Ham stars as a key reason for the club’s upturn in form, which has seen them take 10 points from a possible 15 since his arrival last month.
So the prospect of West Ham losing Jemez to their direct relegation rival Forest does not bear thinking about.
What would you say if Paco Jemez took Nuno’s job?
He's certainly made a big impact…
Paco Jemez the manager of Rayo Vallecano reacts during the La Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Vigo, Spain.
The good news is, West Ham appear to know nothing about it and have denied receiving an approach.
Prominent West Ham insider Sean Whetstone counts the club’s majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady among his contacts.
Paco Jemez speaks to Nuno Espirito Santo during West Ham's game with Chelsea.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Taking to X, Whetstone revealed he has spoken to his top West Ham sources about Jemez’s future amid the Nottingham Forest rumours.
West Ham not only say they know nothing about the supposed swoop, but also point out they would need to know as Jemez is under contract.
In addition, the Hammers dropped another hint that Pereira is going to be appointed by Marinakis.
West Ham ‘know nothing’ about Forest’s Jemez approach
“West Ham say they know nothing about reports that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was set to hold talks with recently appointed West Ham coach Paco Jemez yesterday,” Whetstone said.
“We reached out to a club insider in response to the bizarre claims who responded: “We know nothing about this; he is under contract with West Ham. I thought Nottingham Forest were hiring the ex-Wolves manager.”
West Ham say they know nothing about reports that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was set to hold talks with recently appointed West Ham coach Paco Jemez yesterday.
We reached out to a club insider in response to the bizarre claims who responded “We know nothing… pic.twitter.com/gt2ZBKFLZn
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) February 13, 2026
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Forest now have the weekend off as they are out of the FA Cup while West Ham go to Burton.
That gives Marinakis a few days to make his final call on Forest’s new boss.
And everyone at West Ham will be dearly hoping it’s not Jemez.
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