West Ham have been relegated from the Premier League
10:40, 27 May 2026
Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham, looks dejected after relegation
Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham, looks dejected after relegation
West Ham have announced their intention for head coach Nuno Espirito Santo to stay in charge next season, after their relegation from the Premier League.
As Middlesbrough look to strengthen and go again next term after coming close to promotion under Kim Hellberg this term, as ever, the three sides relegated from the top flight will be the early favourites.
West Ham, in particular, will be seen as favourites to make an immediate return to the Premier League, with this their first time in the Championship since their promotion in 2012.
And that could be boosted by the announcement that Portuguese head coach will be staying, amid rumours he might leave. There were suggestions that relegation triggered a clause in his contract that would allow both him and the club to end the contract early.
However, in a club statement from the board of directors on Wednesday, it was announced: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Santo was appointed West Ham boss in September, after they sacked Graham Potter. After initial struggles, they managed to gain 25 points from their last 17 games - a points per game ratio the club’s hierarchy pointed out would have seen them finish seventh, if gained over the whole campaign.
As the Hammers look for an immediate Premier League return, they’ll be boosted by the fact the Portuguese coach’s only other season in the Championship ended in promotion with Wolves, where they secured 99 points to win the title, in a memorable battle with Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City.
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