West Ham United’s relegation from the Premier League was officially confirmed on matchday 38; Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Everton meaning the Hammers’ three-goal crushing of Leeds counted for nothing.
Tomas Soucek feels that run which really sealed their fate, though, can be found between a nightmare November the beginning of 2026.
Either side of the festive period, West Ham United went ten games without a victory in the Premier League.
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When confirming that Nuno Espirito Santo will stay on as head coach, a statement posted on their official website was at pains to point out that only six teams picked up more points in the final 17 matchdays.
Despite performing at a Conference League-qualifying pace for nearly half the season, this was still not enough to save West Ham from the drop. A fate Soucek attributes to a dismal sequence of six defeats and four draws in ten matches across two months.
Tomas Soucek explains West Ham United’s relegation
“The disappointment was great. It probably hurt the most after the final whistle [on the final matchday,” Soucek tells Forbes. “West Ham is my family, my home. So I have always wanted and will always want only the best for the club.
“I dare say that I have left a big mark here, and I am sorry that this blip is part of it.
“I would mostly blame [our relegation] on the ten games that we didn’t win in a row in the middle of the season, which shouldn’t happen. Then from January we picked up, played good football and collected points.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”
Soucek opened the door to a potential West Ham exit in this very same interview. While his family is settled in London, the 31-year-old admits he may be tempted by a move to a top-flight club. A fresh start in Italy, specifically, appeals to the former Slavia Prague captain.
“I’m sorry [to everyone at West Ham],” Soucek adds when discussing the impact of relegation.
“Not only from a sporting point of view, but also because of the people at the club who have been taking care of us day after day for years, so that we have the best service possible, so that we can live our dream, and who will now most likely be dismissed.
“At least some of them.
“Relegation obviously means a loss of significant income and the need to save. I have a good relationship with all the staff, I know their names, so it’s all the more painful. I feel a responsibility towards them too.”
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Conference League winner Soucek reflects fondly on Hammers spell
If that Leeds victory was indeed Soucek’s 271st and final game for the Hammers, he will leave as a modern-day legend. A Conference League winner who not only became the top-scoring Czech footballer in Premier League history, but who also became only the fifth West Ham player to start 200 games in the competition.
“When I look back on those almost seven years, they’ve flown by so fast and been so intense,” reminisces a misty-eyed midfielder. “We survived Covid, played in Europe, won a trophy, changed a few coaches, and now we’re relegated.
“Anyway, I wouldn’t change any of it because I’m thrilled with my entire time here.
“When I started at the club almost seven years ago, the current captain, Jarrod Bowen, was also coming in at the same time. We’ve stuck together since then and we’re the only ones left from the original squad. So logically, there aren’t many other names that the fans could respect in this way.
“I’m so grateful for that. I feel [the fans’] support and appreciation wherever we go. Even recently, when things weren’t going well, people kept coming up to me, shaking my hand and thanking me for what I’ve done for the club.
“I haven’t actually met anyone who was negative about me on the street.”
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