Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to be dismissed as West Ham United head coach after the club's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on the final day of the season. Despite a 3-0 victory over Leeds United at the London Stadium, results elsewhere ensured West Ham's 14-year stay in the top flight came to an end.
Relegation confirmed
Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Everton secured their survival at West Ham's expense, rendering the victory over Leeds meaningless. Nuno has been summoned for talks with the club hierarchy, with the expectation that he will leave his position imminently.
The 52-year-old Portuguese coach was appointed at the end of September, replacing Graham Potter who was sacked just five matches into the Premier League season. Nuno signed a three-year contract, but it contained a clause allowing the club to terminate his employment without compensation in the event of relegation.
Record points but relegation
Under Nuno, West Ham won nine, drew nine, and lost 15 of their 33 Premier League matches. Their final total of 39 points is the highest ever achieved by a relegated side since 2011, but it was not enough to survive.
Speaking after the defeat was confirmed, Nuno refused to discuss his future. 'If you ask me now about the past and the future, this is not the day. Today is to understand the moment of sadness for our fans, of ourselves, of the club,' he said. 'Our attention was all on achieving the mission that we didn't accomplish. Now we need to go to this period of sadness.'
Player clash
According to reports, Nuno had a heated exchange with defender Jean-Clair Todibo after the penultimate match of the season. Todibo was substituted after 25 minutes in a tactical change against Newcastle United, with the Frenchman reportedly telling Nuno he would not play for him again. Todibo was subsequently left out of the squad for the final day victory over Leeds.
