The West Ham board have broken their silence after a leak about Nuno Espirito Santo’s reported sack clause in a statement on his future.
- Hammers News exclusive
It says everything about the mess West Ham are in that Nuno Espirito Santo is already feeling the heat after just four games.
Especially given that the first two, tough away trips to Everton and Arsenal, were largely positive performances.
Nuno was a breath of fresh air when he first arrived at West Ham following his controversial sacking by Forest.
Hammers fans were hugely impressed by his comments in interviews and press conferences.
Speculation already rife about Nuno at West Ham
Nuno also showed a ruthless streak and the kind of passion supporters expect and want.
But many feel it has already started to unravel following woeful defeats to Brentford and Leeds that have left West Ham staring relegation from the Premier League in the face.
Just nine games in, West Ham are stuck in the bottom three, already needing back-to-back wins to catch those above them.
Given West Ham have won just once in 10 matches so far this season, that in itself looks improbable right now.
Yet somehow the Hammers must find at least another 10 wins in their remaining 29 games to have a realistic chance of staying up.
After his positive start, Nuno has thrown a series of curve balls with baffling team selection for the huge games against Brentford and Leeds.
Dropping the likes of El Hadji Malick Diouf, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mateus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa and not playing with a striker were some of them.
Recalling Wan-Bissaka only to use him as a centre-back while bringing in Ollie Scarles from the cold and starting him out of position at right-back were others.
Two starts for Andy Irving was undoubtedly the most baffling of all, though.
West Ham board address leak about Nuno sack clause
Nuno was lambasted over the changes as West Ham were comfortably beaten in both games.
Nuno even sparked a big Hammers conspiracy theory with his actions.
The situation has also prompted speculation Nuno could be the latest manager sacked as West Ham hurtle towards relegation.
Now in a fresh statement on the manager’s future, the club have moved to clarify their stance surrounding the Portuguese’s position.
Earlier this week Claret and Hugh claimed a ‘well-placed insider with strong knowledge of West Ham’s inner workings’ leaked that Nuno has a highly unusual clause in his contract.
That being the Portuguese is not entitled to any compensation if he is sacked this season.
The insider told the site that ‘Nuno is probably the wrong appointment again’ but that compensation only kicks in if the former Wolves boss is relieved of his duties in the second year of his three-year deal.
The story raised eyebrows and further fuelled speculation Nuno could be replaced if things don’t improve.
Prominent Hammers insider ExWHUemployee then addressed the rumours, saying the club had told him it was “not true”.
That has not stopped speculation, though, especially since Brendan Rodgers became available following his departure from Celtic.
Hammers hierarchy issue statement on Nuno’s future
Now the West Ham board have addressed the leak about Nuno’s sack clause in a statement on his future.
Hammers News asked a top spokesman for the club’s owners what was going on regarding the manager’s future and clause given the claim and counterclaims being made.
The response was intriguing, but West Ham’s board made it clear the manager has their backing.
“Sorry the details of the manager’s contract are confidential,” the West Ham board spokesman told Hammers News.
“It’s been a terrible last few games but hopefully things improve on Sunday (vs Newcastle).
“The board are 100 per cent behind the manager.”
So while the board have refused to clarify the clause either way, they have thrown their weight behind Nuno and their belief he is the man to get them out of their current mess.
Now attentions turn to what looks an extremely tough clash against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, who go into the game off the back of five wins from their last six games.
