West Ham make Nuno Espirito Santo sack decision after Premier League relegation

West Ham United have made their final decision about sacking Nuno Espirito Santo after they were relegated to the Championship.

After a dismal 2025/26 campaign, West Ham were relegated on the final day of the Premier League season despite picking up a 3-0 win over Leeds United in their last match.

The Hammers finished the season on 39 points, two points behind London rivals Tottenham Hotspur who secured a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day to stay up.

West Ham's relegation has of course raised questions regarding the future of many of the top players at the club, with reports linking the likes of Matheus Fernandes, Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka with moves.

But it's not just the players' futures that have been called into question following the season, as many expected the club could part ways with manager Nuno less than a year after he arrived.

Nuno took charge of West Ham back September following the sacking of Graham Potter, who lost five of his first six games of the season, and went on to win 12 of his 37 matches at the London side.

Despite the disappointing record and taking the team down, many West Ham fans hoped that the Portuguese manager would remain in place for next season, and their hopes have been realised.

A club statement has confirmed that Nuno will continue as West Ham boss, despite their relegation from the Premier League, following talks with the club's hierarchy that have been ongoing since Monday.

"We held meetings with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo early this week and are pleased to confirm that he has expressed his continued commitment to the club - as we have to him," West Ham's statement said.

"Nuno made it very clear that he is highly motivated for the challenge of guiding West Ham United back to the top flight at the first time of asking. That must be the unquestionable goal for next season.

"Nuno has spent one previous year in the Championship and it was an outstanding success as he secured 99 points to win the title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018.

"While the ultimate outcome on Sunday was a painful one, the board of directors believe that there have been broader signs of improvement and progress in recent months, and we want Nuno to continue developing that progress."

Which players could leave West Ham United this summer?

Of all the players linked with a move away from West Ham, it appears that midfielder Fernandes is the most likely to leave following the club's relegation.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is said to have recommended his Portugal teammate and namesake to club officials, with a pursuit over the summer expected to come.

Fernandes made 46 appearances for Southampton before leaving the club to join West Ham United for a fee of around £42million last summer.

Now, less than a year later, it is believed the London club are reluctant to let him the club and would only entertain doing so for double the fee they paid to sign him.

Meanwhile the future of club legend Bowen remains up the air, with the likes of Liverpool linked, despite his resassuring comments following the final match of the season.

He stated. "I’m under contract here. There’s going to be rumours, there’s going to be talk, but ultimately what I see is getting this club back in the Premier League.

"I’ve had some really good moments here. This is a really hard moment. You never know what the future holds, but I want to see this club back in the Premier League and right now my vision is to get this club back in the Premier League."