Former Hammers hero Vladimir Coufal has been speaking to some of his old West Ham teammates and what they had to say about Nuno Espirito Santo may sway David Sullivan and the board.
West Ham’s fight for survival was given new life when Leeds held Spurs to a 1-1 draw on Monday night.
The Hammers looked dead and buried after the harsh defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
But Nuno Espirito Santo’s side now know they can climb out of the relegation zone and back above Tottenham by beating Newcastle this weekend – ahead of Roberto De Zerbi’s side facing fierce rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Coufal reveals what West Ham stars have told him about Nuno
Full focus right now is on West Ham staying in the Premier League – but Nuno’s future will soon be the hot topic.
West Ham have made the consequences of relegation clear to Nuno before the key decision on the Portuguese’s future which looms large in the background.
How do you FEEL about West Ham wanting to keep Nuno next season? 😳
Nuno and West Ham appeared to make his future perfectly clear if they drop with what they didn’t say rather than what they did say ahead of the Gunners clash.
Some fans want Nuno to stay regardless of whether the club are relegated.
But Hammers News has revealed on multiple occasions Nuno will likely leave West Ham one way or another if they go down with three-time Hammer of the Year Scott Parker among the possible candidates to replace him.
However, there have been conflicting claims that Nuno could stay even if the Irons are demoted to the Championship, with the cash-strapped Hammers unable to afford to pay off yet another manager with Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter still on the club’s payroll.
If Nuno wants to stay then it gives Hammers chief David Sullivan and the board a big decision to make if the Irons are demoted to the second tier.
Nuno has restored togetherness at West Ham, says Coufal
Do they look at the situation from the perspective that Nuno ultimately had eight months of a nine-month season but failed to secure survival?
Or do the Hammers hierarchy look at the job he has done since January and back him to continue that good work?
Oh wow 👀 How has Tottenham’s draw with Leeds made YOU feel about the relegation battle?!
This weirdly feels like a boost?
What West Ham stars told Vladimir Coufal about Nuno may sway Sullivan and co.
Many Hammers fans are still angry with Potter for his ludicrous decision to release a core group of experienced leaders last summer.
Many supporters believe it is the single biggest reason the Hammers find themselves in this precarious position.
Among that group was fan favourite Coufal.
The Czech warrior has left Potter red-faced as he has been statistically the best right-back in the Bundesliga this season with high-flying Hoffenheim.
West Ham have missed Coufal’s attitude, professionalism and battling spirit, not to mention his quality.
He still keeps in touch with best friend Tomas Soucek and other Hammers stars.
And what they have told him about the manager suggests Sullivan and co should look to keep Nuno this summer.
“I’m no longer at the club… but for me as a West Ham fan it would be a bad situation (if the club is relegated),” Coufal told Capital Football.
“But I am obviously optimistic and I am behind the boys until the last second. Even if they didn’t get a result (against Arsenal), there will still be two games to go. They can win in Newcastle and the last game is Leeds at home. No problem at all.
“I hope they will show the togetherness tomorrow, which I was told has returned since Nuno Espírito Santo took over. I hope they survive.”
It is great to hear, effectively from the horse’s mouth, that Nuno has restored the bond and team spirit which made West Ham the team they were under David Moyes previously.
That in itself is a massive achievement from Nuno given the reportedly toxic and divided dressing room mess he inherited from Potter.
Food for thought for Sullivan and the Hammers board who simply must avoid yet another poor managerial decision when they sit down to map out the club’s future this summer.
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