West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed what he told David Sullivan in summit talks over his future but a key clause remains.
When Nuno Espirito Santo was summoned to David Sullivan’s Essex mansion for talks following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship, the outcome looked inevitable.
The Hammers’ hierarchy had believed Nuno would want out if relegation came to pass and, having had 33 games to turn things around, the club could have been justified in sacking the Portuguese too.
But after a reported push from Sullivan’s fellow co-owner Daniel Kretinsky for Nuno to stay, the talks ended with the surprising resolution that Nuno would stay.
Nuno reveals what he told Sullivan in West Ham summit meeting
In the official announcement about the manager’s future, it was confirmed that what Nuno told the West Ham board convinced them to keep him.
Now Nuno has revealed what he told Sullivan in those talks but his West Ham clause remains.
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“There was a lot of noise, a lot of questions (about my future),” Nuno told West Ham’s website.
“But it was important the timing, the timing of the decision. After relegation for all of us it was tough. It was sad and it was a moment to feel and to understand.
“But there were never doubts from myself and the board that this is something that we want, to continue, and I’m really pleased and thankful for the confidence (of the owners).”
With few viable outstanding candidates in the managerial market, keeping Nuno appears to have been well received by most fans.
The fact the manager’s future was sorted as the top priority and immediately in the wake of relegation is a sign of rare and welcome efficiency from the Hammers.
Mutual break clause remains in Nuno’s West Ham contract in Championship
But it should be noted that a key clause remains in the manager’s contract.
When Nuno replaced Graham Potter last September he signed a three-year deal.
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Hammers News previously exclusively revealed that contract had a break clause for either party in the event of relegation.
And it has been confirmed to Hammers News once again that the clause which would allow Nuno to walk away and West Ham to sack him without compensation remains in place while the club is in the second tier.
The hope is that by this time next year West Ham are celebrating promotion back to the Premier League with Nuno at the helm.
He would then have a year remaining on his contract where the Hammers would feel in safe hands with Nuno plotting their bid to stay there.
West Ham must not run before they can walk, though, with so much to do and plenty of comings and goings expected as Nuno shapes his squad to achieve that first goal – an immediate return to the big time.
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