Stefan Borson reveals how Nuno Espirito Santo's salary will be impacted after West Ham relegation

Nuno Espirito Santo is likely to face a 50 per cent pay cut after West Ham United were relegated from the Premier League in 2025-26.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the manager will have incentive-based bonuses in his new contract.

There was debate over whether the former Wolves and Nottingham Forest figure would remain at the London Stadium are failing to keep the Hammers in the Premier League.

With his future now confirmed, talk has turned to how much the experienced boss might still be earning in East London, with most players also expected to take a pay cut.

Nuno Espirito Santo pay cut 'typical' in the Championship

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has estimated that Nuno's wage could drop to as little as £4million, but also suggested that the Hammers will promotion back to the Premier League.

“Quite a lot. The typical reduction is fifty per cent in a lot of these contracts. It wouldn't surprise me. He may take the view that he'd rather leave," he said.

“I think they probably had a conversation with him that said, look, we can either call it quits, or you can take the pay cut; it's up to you. And you know, he probably fancies that they'll maybe be down for a year. 

“I think there's a very good chance West Ham will get promoted in the first season, and the combination of bonuses plus being straight back probably means that he won't see that much of a loss if they do that.

“I would think on a headline basis, it'll go from £7million or £8million to below £5million. Maybe it becomes £4million. That is the way it works.

“I wouldn't lose too much sleep given that four's still a very good wage, and really you're not going to get more than about four unless you're in the Premier League.”

Jarrod Bowen is in a different position with wages next season

It is understood that the majority of players in the squad have relegation clauses, causing their wages to drop by 50 per cent next season.

Of course, multiple of these players could leave before the 2026-27 campaign kicks off, but the hope is that Jarrod Bowen leads them into the new season.

Unsurprisingly, Premier League clubs, including Everton and Chelsea, are eyeing up for the former Hull City man, but the Hammers have been handed a new boost.

According to The Sun (4 June), Bowen's wage of more than £100,000-a-week is unlikely to be impacted by the Irons' drop down to the Championship.