West Ham sack Nuno Espírito Santo with club eighth in Championship

West Ham's expectations were clear: an immediate return to the Premier League. Instead, the Championship promotion favourites found themselves eighth, with results and performances putting Nuno Espírito Santo under growing pressure.

Nuno took over from Graham Potter in September 2025, according to Guardian Sport. He oversaw the club's relegation from the Premier League last season, The42 reported, leaving this campaign as an attempt to recover lost ground.

On October 31, Sky Sports reported that West Brom's 3-1 win at the London Stadium had left West Ham six points off the pace in eighth place. Supporters turned against Nuno after the home defeat.

The criticism brought his position into sharper focus. In coverage published the same day, BBC Football reported that Nuno said he was under pressure every day as patience with him waned.

By November 2, Guardian Sport was reporting that key figures at West Ham were losing patience with the head coach after the disappointing start. Sky Sports then reported his sacking, saying successive defeats had left the club eighth in the Championship.

Nuno's departure was also reported on November 3 by BBC Sport, which described his spell in charge as lasting 14 months. The decision ends his tenure with West Ham still outside the leading positions in a division they had been expected to challenge to win.

The club remain intent on an immediate Premier League return, according to Guardian Sport. That objective has not changed, but West Ham have decided Nuno will not be the coach to pursue it.