[West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-3-0-leeds-united-the-morning-after/) fans, if they are anything like me, will awake to each day with an anxious scroll on the phone, expecting the trademark ‘club statement’ with the corner-flag image that heralds the expected announcement that the Hammers have parted company with Nuno Espírito Santo.
The Manager has failed in his bid to secure Premier League football for West Ham next season and most seem to agree that it suits neither the club, nor Nuno, to continue the association into a Championship campaign.
However, seasoned West Ham watchers will be somewhat more reserved, knowing exactly how David Sullivan acts in these situations – as we’ve had to witness all too often in the last couple of years.
Sullivan likes to have the new man in place before pulling the trigger
The beleaguered West Ham chairman had his ‘ducks in a row’ behind the scenes each time he has made a change at Manager level, preferring to have his next appointee lined up for unveiling before pulling the trigger on the old coach.
Indeed, Julen Lopetegui had to front up a media session on a Friday and a Saturday morning training session whilst being a ‘dead man walking’ – with Potter already interviewed – so there is no expectation that Sullivan’s M.O. will be any different this time around.
Nuno is likely to be given the push ‘officially’ in days, not hours, once Sullivan has his new man ready and waiting in the wings.
Whether it be Craig Bellamy (we wish) Gary O’Neil or Scott Parker ( most likely), West Ham’s chairman will likely repeat the process which has become a well-trodden path to replace the coach at London Stadium.
So don’t hold your breath. Fans – me included – will be hoping that _just this one time_ Sullivan learns from past mistakes and pays the £900,000 reported to be the buyout for Craig Bellamy’s Wales FC contract. However, leopards don’t change their spots and the bookies seem to be agreed on Scotty Parker being the frontrunner.
_Before complaining too hard, think yourselves very lucky that Steve Cooper is a rank outsider at 25/1. Suddenly, Parker doesn’t seem so bad._