Credit: The Managers/Imago

Scott Mason

Tue 14 April 2026 11:10, UK

Mick McCarthy could be described as a relegation specialist, having been in West Ham United’s situation plenty of times.

The former Premier League manager was long known for his ability to either get teams promoted to the Premier League or keep them in the top flight.

While it did not always go to plan, and relegation did arrive on a few occasions, his experience is something worth listening to.

Positivity at West Ham has begun to increase, as the Irons are finally out of the relegation zone for the first time since November.

However, after West Ham climbed the table out of the bottom three, McCarthy has warned that it may be even more uncomfortable for the East London club.

What did Mick McCarthy say about West Ham coming out of the bottom three?

McCarthy has warned that the feeling of being chased in the Premier League relegation battle is worse than being the side hunting those above them.

For much of the season, it has been the Hammers that were the hunters.

Nuno Espirito Santo will not mind the change of role, as he has said countless times, he is simply focusing on West Ham’s results and not those around him.

However, former Wolves manager McCarthy thinks the Irons will begin feeling a new type of pressure.

McCarthy, via the Managers podcast with Tony Pulis, stated: “You’re fourth bottom and forever all you’re doing, well, not all, but your concern is the one behind you, because only one can catch you.

“Suddenly, you go to third bottom, and it creates more of a desire. You think, hold on a minute, we’re in relegation here; yeah, we can catch them.’

“It’s a bonkers mentality that suddenly gives you a more positive outlook being in the bottom three, because you’re just looking upwards and trying to overtake the ones above you.

“It really is an unbelievable difference in mentality that, unless you’ve been there, I know you’ve been there, I’ve been there, you can’t express it.”

The Irons will have to make sure McCarthy’s words do not ring true and that they do let the pressure build up and ultimately implode at E20.

Nuno’s side are in a much healthier position than Tottenham, who sit below them. However, if McCarthy is right, the Lilywhites will have that bit between their teeth once more.

Nuno Espirito Santo is doing things the correct way with media comments

After West Ham’s win against Wolves, Nuno downplayed the importance of the victory, and that is the right way to go about things.

The job is far from finished, and while the Irons are now out of the relegation zone, they must not let that change their thinking for the final six games.

Nuno’s comments can bring West Ham back into that hunter mindset McCarthy spoke of.

The Hammers could be thrown straight back into that reality depending on results this weekend.

West Ham play after each of their relegation rivals, and the Irons could be back in the bottom three before facing Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

Life will be made harder for Nuno with Darren England officiating, as the pair have a history of controversy together.

But, all of that must be left behind with a positive result the only priority right now.