Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals among ex-West Ham stars to react to club statement
Manuel Lanzini has responded with crying emojis to West Ham United‘s club statement following their relegation from the Premier League.
The inquest will now begin, as West Ham are officially back in the Championship for the first time since 2012.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side were able to beat Leeds United 3-0 on Sunday, but Tottenham’s win over Everton ensured it meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
It’s a dark moment in West Ham’s history, and one that they will have to own and accept ahead of what will be a tough campaign in the second tier next season.
West Ham’s relegation will hit the supporters hard, and the Hammers have released a strong club statement that doesn’t pull any punches.
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What did West Ham write in their club statement?
West Ham haven’t been good enough all season, and so it wasn’t simply because of Tottenham’s win over Everton that they now find themselves in the Championship.
The Hammers had their Premier League fate in their own hands at times, but poor runs of form and dropping points in crucial games among a myriad of other things is why they’ve been relegated.
| West Ham’s 25-26 PL stats | Result |
| Open play goals | 27 |
| Goals conceded per game | 1.8 |
| Average possession | 42.5% |
| Big chances missed | 46 |
And, in a detailed and lengthy club statement released to the Club’s Instagram account following the full-time whistle on Sunday, West Ham have clearly recognised that too.
The Irons made it clear that the team wasn’t good enough in 2025-26, and vowed to meet the challenge of an instant return to the Premier League next term head on.
“The confirmation of our relegation from the Premier League today marks a sad and painful moment for West Ham United,” the statement began.
“The Club wishes to sincerely thank every single one of our supporters for the constant and loyal backing they have given, throughout what has been an extremely difficult and disappointing season.
“Ultimately, we have not repaid that support. The plain truth is that we have not been good enough. We must now face the consequences of that failure with honesty, transparency and a determination to repair, refocus and rebuild.
“West Ham United is a football club whose unique identity is defined not by success or failure on the pitch, but by the values and traditions of our roots in east London, and by the spirit of the people who have Claret and Blue in their hearts.
“The Club acknowledges how challenging this season has been for them and knows it must take steps to restore a sense of pride, faith and belief.
“As we have done before, we will fight with everything we have to return to the top division of English football at the first time of asking. The hard work to make that goal a reality begins immediately.”
Which ex-West Ham stars have reacted to the club statement?
It was only a few years ago that West Ham were lifting a European trophy and finishing in the top half of the Premier League table.
During that time, some brilliant players donned the claret and blue shirt who captured the hearts and imaginations of the fanbase: players like Lanzini and Pablo Fornals.
Indeed, both of those two attacking midfielders responded to West Ham’s club statement with crying emojis, as did former striker Enner Valencia and left-back Emerson respectively.
Robert Snodgrass simply commented with a heart emoji, whilst Toni Martinez sent a heart and hammers emoji too.
Vladimir Coufal posted a heartbroken and crying face emoji, and Kurt Zouma simply said: “Can’t believe…” accompanied by those same emojis.
What West Ham fans would give to see some of those players back wearing claret and blue right now.