West Ham: Nuno must look to re-unite with 53-cap international after Wolves exit | OneFootball

West Ham should look to sign Matt Doherty on a free transfer this summer following his release from Wolves

West Ham United will be joined by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley in the Championship next season as the three relegated sides from the Premier League, as each will be aiming to make their stay in the second tier as short-lived as possible.

Despite a 3-0 win on the final day at home to Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 victory over Everton meant that West Ham's fate was sealed, as the East London side head back to the Championship after 14 years.

It's a catastrophic turn of events for the Hammers, who just three years ago were celebrating lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy after Jarrod Bowen's late winner against Fiorentina in Prague under the guidance of David Moyes.

Since then, three different permanent managers have followed, with each of Julen Lopetegui, Graham Potter, and Nuno Espirito Santo playing a role in the club's demise, though the latter is expected to remain in charge heading into next season.

Nuno has previously guided Wolves out of the second tier some eight years ago, and he will be hoping for a similar outcome in 12 months with West Ham, as the Portuguese head coach should kick off the summer window by reuniting with a former star he worked with at Molineux.

West Ham United should plot a move for Irish defender Matt Doherty after Wolves exit

West Ham are set for a major squad overhaul this summer, with a huge portion of their current squad expected to leave before the end of the window.

Jarrod Bowen will continue to attract interest over the summer, Mateus Fernandes has been touted with a move worth up to £80 million, whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka has admirers at Sunderland.

Wan-Bissaka will represent his nation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at this summer's World Cup in North America and will be hoping to have a strong tournament to put his name back into the limelight, likely looking to move on from the Hammers following their relegation.

With Sunderland interested, the 28-year-old could well leave in the coming months, which would leave just Kyle Walker-Peters as the only other option in that position currently contracted to West Ham.

Nuno must remedy this by targeting alternatives in that position, and could do a lot worse than reuniting with former Wolves wing-back Matt Doherty.

Doherty, 34, is certainly no spring chicken, but with just shy of 200 Premier League appearances and over 150 Championship appearances to his name, there are many worse options on the market.

The Irishman has recently been released by Wolves this summer, with the Old Gold having confirmed the signing of Kieran Trippier on a free transfer to replace him, whilst each of Jackson Tchachoua, Ki-Jana Hoever, Rodrigo Gomes, and Pedro Lima is still contracted to the club and can play that position.

The 34-year-old had brief spells with both Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid between two stints at Molineux, and has made 147 appearances across all competitions under Nuno, with the pair knowing each other well.

Doherty was a mainstay for Wolves during their promotion campaign of 2017/18 under Nuno, and he could well do the same eight years later with him in London.

What system Nuno will be implementing following relegation remains to be seen, though Doherty is adept at playing in either a three-back or a four-back system, and with his experience and ability, for nothing, his addition is surely a no-brainer for West Ham.

Nuno Espirito Santo must strike the right balance between youth and experience at West Ham United this summer

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West Ham will no doubt see a huge amount of turnover in the playing squad this summer following relegation, and what their starting 11 on the opening day of next season may look like cannot be at all predicted.

Nuno will know what it takes to get out of this division, and will need to strike the balance between youth and experience in his squad to ensure the best chance of promotion.

Doherty falls firmly into the experienced bracket at this stage in his career, and would offer an excellent option at either full-back position, with the Irishman being someone Nuno can trust and rely upon.