West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo smiling and David Sullivan in inset.
Credit: Imago
Declan Carr
Wed 27 May 2026 13:10, UK
David Sullivan has managed to convince Nuno Espirito Santo to remain at West Ham United.
There were fears that the Portuguese boss was ready to call it quits after the Hammers were relegated to the Championship.
Nobody would have blamed the 52-year-old had he walked, given the fact that there is financial pressure and a huge squad overhaul needed.
However, the Irons announced in a club statement on 27 May that he was set to stay put in the London Stadium dugout.
Given that the direction seemed to be heading in the other direction, West Ham must have made him significant promises.
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What could West Ham owner Sullivan have promised Nuno?
Nuno committing his future to West Ham is massive, as he is the best man to lead them in the Championship.
Sullivan must have promised him that funds will be available in the summer, to bolster the squad so that it is ready for a promotion push.
West Ham transfers 2025-26 Fee
Mateus Fernandes £38m
Jean-Clair Todibo £36m
Callum Wilson Free
El Hadji Malick Diouf £19m
Mads Hermansen £18m
Soungoutou Magassa £14.7m
Kyle Walker-Peters Free
Igor Julio Loan
Taty Castellanos £25m
Pablo £19.9m
Adama Traore £1.9m
Axel Disasi Loan
West Ham’s transfers this season.
If he had not done that, then surely he would have pushed to leave, and looked for a more comfortable role elsewhere, rather than staying under the pressure of managing the East London side.
Why Nuno is the right man for the job
While Nuno could not stop the Irons from dropping down to the second tier, they would have had no chance of staying up had he not been appointed.
He has won 12 of his 37 matches in charge, drawing nine and losing 16 games, picking up a total of 45 points in that time.
Nuno’s record at West Ham All competitions
Matches 37
Won 12
Lost 16
Drawn 9
Points 38
Nuno’s record at West Ham.
He also has an exceptional record in the Championship, winning 30 of his 46 matches, with nine draws and seven losses, so it makes sense to keep him on board.
The turnaround from him potentially leaving to staying in E20 could be the difference between an immediate return to the Premier League or second-tier anonymity.
If they can secure promotion at the first time of asking, and it turns out that Sullivan has made those promising, it will be a brilliant move.
Perhaps supporters will view the controversial businessman more favourably if he commits money to help the manager this summer, and that gets the Hammers back to where they belong straight away.