West Ham have stumbled upon the best thing to happen to them for years in Paco Jemez but are at risk of losing him this summer.
The Hammers looked dead and buried when they lost at home to Nottingham Forest at the start of 2026.
But a remarkable turnaround in performances and results has seen West Ham lift themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone with five games to play.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side closed a 13-point gap on Spurs to leapfrog them in the table in what now looks a shootout between the London rivals and Forest to avoid demotion to the Championship.
Jemez’s West Ham future in doubt claims Sullivan confidant
West Ham’s change in fortunes has been attributed to a good January transfer window, improved team spirit and players finally understanding what Nuno wanted.
It was the arrival of no-nonsense Spanish coach Paco Jemez that has had the biggest impact of all, though.
What would you say if Paco Jemez took Nuno’s job?
He's certainly made a big impact…
Now West Ham must do everything to keep Jemez after an astonishing revelation.
Since Jemez arrived in east London in January, West Ham are the fifth best team in the entire Premier League.
That’s right the Hammers have embarked on a spell of Champions League form in their bid for survival.
And it is no coincidence that it can be charted back to the arrival of former Ibiza coach Jemez.
West Ham have picked up 19 points from their 12 games since Jemez joined the club after Nuno reached out for help.
Only Man City, Arsenal, Bournemouth and Man United have a better record than the Irons in that time.
The team also has a positive goal difference of four.
West Ham fifth best in Premier League since Jemez’s arrival
If only Jemez had joined earlier – which would have been possible given he had been out of work from October.
West Ham’s players – almost to a man – have raved about Jemez’s impact.
Do you feel BETTER or WORSE about West Ham’s survival chances after gameweek 33? 🤔
The Hammers stayed two points clear of Spurs…
He has become something of a cult hero among fans already and his influence has also been noted by pundits, with Jamie Carragher saying Jemez can be the difference in West Ham staying up.
Many supporters feel Jemez could be the perfect replacement for Nuno if the Portuguese leaves West Ham this summer – something that is expected to happen in the worst case scenario of relegation.
But West Ham must get their act together to avoid losing Jemez too, it seems.
Sean Whetstone, a close confidant of Hammers chief David Sullivan, claims senior club sources have said it is Nuno’s decision whether to extend Jemez’s contract – which expires this summer.
Whetstone worryingly claims it is not known whether the coach’s stay will be extended as things stand.
He also states Jemez’s future is only ‘partially related’ to which division West Ham are playing in next season and more so to Nuno’s own future.
But West Ham should be doing everything in their power behind the scenes to keep Jemez at the club regardless of Nuno’s future or the club’s relegation fate.
Because Jemez is the perfect foil for Nuno if the Hammers do survive and looks the ideal man to lead the club back to the top flight if they are relegated.
The board must take ownership of the situation, though, instead of putting the ball in Nuno’s court given he may not even be here by the end of next month.
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