Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Sat 9 May 2026 13:44, UK

For now, Nuno Espirito Santo is willing to kick the can down the road. Sooner rather than later, though, he will be able to dodge awkward questions over his future no longer.

His silence speaks volumes. So far, he is not believed to have told West Ham United that he intends to stay at the club beyond the end of the season, regardless of whether they are relegated or not. Instead, his focus remains firmly fixed on saving them from the drop.

Publicly, he has been just as hard to read. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s crucial showdown against Premier League leaders Arsenal, Nuno insisted he had not had the time to think about his position. “I don’t have enough energy to think about what is ahead,” he said.

Naturally, there will be those who doubt that claim.

He almost certainly has allowed his mind to wander ahead to next season, even if he remains conflicted on continuing at the London Stadium. But he is also correct to focus on survival, which is paramount. All talk of his role must be put on the back burner.

With West Ham back in the relegation zone with just three matches remaining, the club are nearing a crossroads that will define their direction for years to come.

Should Nuno Espirito Santo stay at West Ham?

First, let’s start with the basics. Nuno signed a three-year deal to replace Graham Potter in September, just 18 days after he had been ruthlessly dismissed by Nottingham Forest.

Nuno has a break clause in his contract, allowing him to walk away at the end of the campaign with no compensation, although the Hammers want to keep him even if they go down. The chance of that rocketed after Tottenham beat Aston Villa 2-1 last time out.

However, it cannot be denied that the 52-year-old has given them a fighting chance.

West Ham were second from bottom at the time of his appointment, having won just one of their opening five fixtures – against Nuno’s Forest side, ironically. But it took him time to stamp his authority as a 10-game winless run left him on the brink of the sack.

Speaking after the dismal 3-0 defeat by Wolves in January, he admitted he had been unable to sleep. “It’s been like that for a while,” he told reporters. “Honestly, it’s like that.

“When you win a match, the analysis is very easy. But when you lose a match, those issues multiply by 1,000. It doesn’t go away; it’s still around. Tomorrow, and the day after, maybe after lunch now. It chases you. It raises a lot of questions in your mind.”

The 2-1 loss that followed against Nottingham Forest would have left him tossing and turning once again, while the club stepped in later that month by asking whether he needed external reinforcements on his coaching staff.

In the background, they were sharpening the axe.

However, a timely 2-1 victory against Tottenham spared Nuno – despite Slaven Bilic having been poised to take over on an 18-month deal – and sparked the beginning of a revival. £50million was splashed in the winter transfer window, and results began to improve.

Their resurgence saw them wrestle back control of their own fate in the relegation dogfight, but the 3-0 loss at Brentford last time out meant it once again slipped through their fingers. Spurs’ triumph at Villa now leaves the Hammers inside the bottom three.

Still, Nuno has done more than enough to prove he should remain at the club, regardless of results over the coming weeks. If they are relegated, he looks ready-made to steer them back into the Premier League at the first time of asking and then establish them there.

He took Wolves into the top-flight and registered consecutive seventh-placed finishes, while he also led Nottingham Forest into Europe in a campaign when they were widely tipped to go down. This proven track record means it will be foolish for West Ham to let him go.

Unsurprisingly, the club’s hierarchy are impressed with his work, and they want him to stay.

But they will also know that he does not share the same conviction. Relegation, and the financial oblivion that comes with it, would be an entirely different challenge.

Who could replace Nuno?

A host of names have been linked with the West Ham hotseat in recent days, but none will stir any real excitement at the London Stadium. Club legend Scott Parker has a torrid record in the Premier League, even if he has successfully led multiple teams into the top-flight.

Craig Bellamy spent two years with the Hammers between 2007 and 2009 and is another who would likely be in contention to replace Nuno. There is a real element of risk, though.

While he has caught the eye as Wales’ head coach, he has never managed at club level.

Bilic will surely be on the radar, too. He remains out of work after previous interest from his former club came to nought, and would therefore be a cost-effective option.