Nuno Espirito Santo considered for West Ham United manager job with buy-out clause set
Nuno Espirito Santo has been considered by West Ham United as a potential successor to David Moyes as manager, with his buy-out clause set at nearly £6million, according to the Daily Mail.
The Times reported on Monday (20 February) that Moyes is set to face the sack if he loses his upcoming Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium (Saturday 25 February).
Former Wolves and Spurs boss Nuno has been considered as an option to take the reins at the East London club, but his release clause with current Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad could prove a stumbling block.
The Daily Mail (Tuesday 21 January, page 68) wrote: “But Sportsmail has been told the club hierarchy have no clear ‘Plan A’ over successor they view as upgrades, having already seen Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel turn them down.
“Nuno Espírito Santo was also considered, but the cost of extracting him from his job at Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia would be prohibitive at close to £6million.”
More of the same?
A move for Nuno looks like a sideways step for West Ham and not the ambitious move many fans have been calling for.
The problem for those who want Moyes to be relieved of his duties is that there really are few alternatives at this time of the season. As both Leeds and Southampton have found out in recent weeks, few coaches are willing to move to a club who are in danger of being relegated from the Premier League at such short notice.
Those in the corridors of power in the London Stadium are unlikely to have a fresh face ready to bring straight in to navigate the team away from the clutches of relegation and, as such, should stick put with Moyes.
Yes, his football has been terrible to watch at points, but experience always come to the fore in times of trouble. The Scottish manager’s fate very much hangs by a thread ahead of the clash against Nottingham Forest, and a result would go a long way to saving his job for the time being.