Nuno Espirito Santo will remain as West Ham’s head coach following positive negotiations with the club’s leadership following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
The meeting to decide on Nuno’s departure was held the day after last week’s 3-0 win at Leeds, which was not enough to prevent them dropping out of the Championship, but Nuno was widely expected to leave.
The Hammers looked lost after losing to Nottingham Forest on 6 January, but their form improved significantly between January and April, taking 22 points from 13 games and lifting them out of the relegation zone.
However, three defeats in their last four games meant that Tottenham were able to survive at any cost.
“We spoke with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this week and are pleased to confirm that he has expressed his continued commitment to the club, as we have for him,” the statement said.
“Nuno made it very clear in his first question that he is keen to take on the challenge of getting West Ham United back into the top flight, and that must be his undoubted goal for next season.Nuno spent the previous year in the EFL Championship and winning the title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018 with 99 points was a great success.”
“While Sunday’s final result was heartbreaking, the board believes there have been widespread signs of improvement and progress in recent months and we want Nuno to continue to build on that progress.”
The Hammers are expected to lose several key players in the summer transfer window and will need to restructure their squad to give Nuno the best chance of a return.
West Ham plan summer move for striker with 23 Championship goals
The Hammers are chasing goals.
And according to a report from journalist Ben Jacobs, their first signing could be one of Scotland’s rising stars.
West Ham inquire about Hibs star
In fact, according to Jacobs, the Irons have submitted an inquiry into the signing of Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan.
The 23-year-old joined Hibs from Dundee FC last summer and established himself in the team, making 21 starts in the Scottish Premiership before his season was interrupted by an ankle injury.
“We understand that West Ham have carried out an initial investigation into Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan,” Jacobs said.
“There is no bid yet as West Ham announced his release first. The midfielder has only recently returned from an ankle injury but is attracting interest from England.
Mulligan is known for his athleticism and physicality and can play anywhere in the midfield or at wingback.
When he was on loan at Peterhead as a teenager, senior teammate Simon Ferry even compared his explosiveness to former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but we have a lad on loan from Dundee, Josh Mulligan.
“Dundee will recall him in January. He is a Gareth Bale-like Rolls-Royce, strong, forceful and direct.
“At that age he’s a machine. He wants to learn and he listens to you.”
Mulligan scored one goal and provided five assists in the Scottish top flight last season.
