West Ham United’s decision to stick with Nuno Espirito Santo marks a radical shift in David Sullivan’s policy when it comes to managers who have overseen a relegation.
Quite how much blame one places at Nuno’s door for West Ham United’s relegation from the Premier League is up for debate.
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The fact is, however, that the 52-year-old was the coach of the first team when the Hammers succumbed to the drop.
It has since been confirmed that Nuno will stay on as West Ham head coach next season, which marks a huge change in what happened under Sullivan the last time the club went down.
Sullivan sacked Avram Grant minutes after West Ham’s last relegation
Avram Grant was the last West Ham coach to suffer the indignation of being relegated from the Premier League.
Grant was sacked immediately after West Ham’s 3-2 defeat to Wigan in May 2011, with Kevin Keen then overseeing the last game of the season.
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Sam Allardyce then took over and steered West Ham back up to the Premier League, where they remained until earlier this month.
West Ham’s faith in Nuno marks radical shift 14 years on
There is some debate as to who on the West Ham board wanted to keep Nuno and who wanted him to leave, with Scott Parker reportedly viewed as an ideal replacement.
Still, the club have placed their faith in Nuno for now at least. After talks with the ownership, the former Wolves coach will indeed lead the team out in the Championship next season.
Just under a decade and a half in football is clearly a long time in football, but the polar opposites from which West Ham have approached a Championship campaign is interesting.
Hopefully, the outcome will be the same. One season in the second tier is an embarrassment. Two would be a disaster.
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