Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Fri 8 May 2026 16:30, UK

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Nuno Espirito Santo should have immediately shut down any talk of his future lying away from West Ham United in his press conference.

With his side now in the Premier League relegation zone, all focus should be on securing safety in the final three games of the campaign, but the media clearly have other ideas.

Eyebrows were raised when the former Wolves and Nottingham Forest boss replaced Graham Potter, but supporters came to enjoy his no-nonsense take on the situation.

Nuno’s results, however, could be far more ideal. West Ham must beat Arsenal to stand any chance of leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur into 17th place, and the chances of that happening are slim.

Nuno Espirito Santo throws uncertainty over his future

The main talk ahead of the match at the London Stadium appears to be about the manager’s future, though, taking away from the task at hand on Sunday, 10 May.

Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nuno is likely to leave should West Ham be relegated to the Championship, with a list of potential replacements being drafted up behind the scenes.

Even with three games left, rumours are swirling, throwing more uncertainty into the equation. And rather than reassure the players, fans and staff, Nuno has chosen to lob a live grenade into the mix.

When asked about his future, he said: “I’m going to be honest with you – I don’t have one second to think about next season. It’s so demanding what we have, the challenge, especially the game on Sunday.

“That’s what we have to focus on. I don’t have enough energy to think about what’s ahead. It’s tomorrow, then tomorrow, day-by-day.”

West Ham players could be easily distracted by his comments

So much relies on West Ham getting positive results in the remaining three games against Arsenal, Newcastle United and Leeds United, including big-name departures in the summer.

Football Insider understands that even Jarrod Bowen is linked with an exit, with Liverpool a contender for the winger’s signature, and talk of the manager’s future is only likely to fuel rumours about the players.

If the man leading the squad doesn’t see his future in East London, why should the players? After all, any injury between now and the end of the season could ruin their chances of earning a move.

Nobody wants to be relegated from the Premier League. But if they are, there is every chance that multiple players in the current squad decide to jump ship, on loan or permanently.