Nuno Espirito Santo reveals new mission after West Ham departure U-turn | OneFootball

Portuguese claims he never doubted his future with the club

Nuno Espirito Santo has said there were never any doubts that he would remain as West Ham manager following their relegation from the Premier League.

West Ham confirmed last week that, following talks, Nuno would remain in charge of the club next season as the Hammers prepare to play in the Championship for the first time in 14 years.

Nuno’s future had been cast into doubt after it emerged that West Ham would not owe the Portuguese coach compensation were they to cut short his three-year contract, which he signed last September to take over from Graham Potter.

Though the clause is still believed to be active, Nuno has agreed to lead West Ham into the Championship next season, and he said he was thankful for the board's trust, with club director and major shareholder Daniel Kretinsky believed to have been an influential backer of his during talks.

Speaking out: Nuno Espirito Santo

PA

“There was a lot of noise, a lot of questions. But it was important the timing, to understand the time of the decision. After relegation, for all of us, it was tough, it was sad,” Nuno said in an in-house media interview.

Nuno Espirito Santo could not help West Ham avoid the drop

PA

West Ham will be bidding to bounce straight back up to the Premier League with Nuno at the helm.

The 52-year-old has experience of earning promotion from the Championship, having guided Wolves to the title in 2018, and admits a club of West Ham’s size must be playing Premier League football again come the start of the 2027/28 season.

“We have only one mission. Me, you and everybody here. Let's get back to the Premier League. We must,” Nuno continued before adding that his team would not shy away from being labelled as one of the favourites for promotion next season.