West Ham United’s owners have made the consequences of relegation clear to Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of the big decision over his future.
- Hammers News exclusive
West Ham’s relegation fate looks all but sealed and the next big call will be on the future of Nuno Espirito Santo.
There have been conflicting reports over Nuno and West Ham’s plans beyond this season.
Some fans want Nuno to stay regardless of whether they drop into the Championship, which now looks a certainty following the defeat to Arsenal.
West Ham board make club’s disastrous FFP position clear
Hammers News understands Nuno will leave West Ham one way or another if they drop with three-time Hammer of the Year Scott Parker a possible candidate to replace him.
However, there have been claims Nuno could stay even if the Irons are relegated with West Ham unable to afford to pay off another manager with Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter still on the payroll after their dismissals.
Sum up your feelings on that result if you can… 😢
Heartbroken is an understatement! 💔
Whatever Nuno and the board decide next, there is gravely concerning news for whoever is the manager of West Ham next season.
Because it seems the road back to the Premier League is going to be a very long one as West Ham have made the consequences of relegation clear to Nuno before the key decision on his future.
West Ham’s owners have already confirmed player sales will be the first port of call if relegation to the Championship is confirmed.
That was made clear in statements when they posted club record £104m losses at the end of February.
With further big losses on the way in their next accounts and an eye-watering £196m owed to other clubs in transfer instalments, the financial position already looked bleak before the Hammers took another big step towards the Championship with defeat to Arsenal.
But the all-important factor when it comes to clubs spending is Financial Fair Play rules.
West Ham admit ‘massive FFP hole’ ahead of relegation
English Football League is strictly governed by financial regulations often referred to as Financial Fair Play, though they are specifically titled “Profitability and Sustainability” rules in the Championship and “Salary Cost Management Protocol” (SCMP) in Leagues One and Two.
The rules aim to ensure clubs manage losses and remain sustainable. In the Championship, where West Ham look to be headed, clubs are allowed limited losses over a rolling three-year period, with a maximum permitted loss typically around £39 million.
How worried should West Ham be about SUCCESSIVE relegations? 📉
Sunderland and Leicester went from the Prem to League One in 12 months…
It was put to the most senior spokesman for West Ham’s board whether relegation will be as catastrophic as many have predicted due to the club’s finances.
The response shows there could be some very dark times ahead for West Ham United Football Club.
“There is a MASSIVE hole under the Financial Fair Play rules,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s board exclusively told Hammers News.
Breaching FFP rules can lead to significant penalties, including transfer embargoes and points deductions.
Leicester were ultimately relegated to League One as a direct result of their six-point deduction this season while Sheffield Wednesday were hit with an 18-point deduction as they too dropped into the third tier.
West Ham’s confirmation of the club’s dire FFP situation means the sale of almost every player who commands a decent fee is now inevitable.
Only six players will truly be missed when West Ham drop but it means a major rebuild is required by whoever is brave enough to take on this mammoth task in the summer.
Nuno and West Ham will decide his future soon, but the Portuguese is widely expected to depart nine months into a three-year deal.
Some fans would argue the club needs a major rebuild – as well as new owners – but with funds so restricted, that will be hugely difficult.
Somehow it seems things could get a lot worse before they ever get any better for this proud football club.
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