The pressure on West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has reached a critical point following a dismal home defeat that leaves the club mired in a deepening Premier League relegation crisis.
A Desolate Stadium and a Deepening Crisis
On Tuesday, 6th January 2026, West Ham suffered a demoralising 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium. The result extends a catastrophic winless streak to ten consecutive matches, with their last victory dating back to early November. The frustration of the supporters was palpable, with the stadium largely empty by the final whistle as fans staged a mass exodus.
The Hammers now find themselves in a perilous league position, sitting a staggering seven points adrift from safety. This growing gap has intensified scrutiny on Nuno Espirito Santo, with serious questions now being asked about his future at the club.
How the Defeat Unfolded
The match offered brief hope for the home side. West Ham took the lead in the first half thanks to an own goal from Forest's Murillo. After the break, Crysencio Summerville thought he had doubled the advantage, but his effort was ruled out.
That decision proved pivotal. Nottingham Forest quickly equalised through Nicolas Dominguez. Then, in a dramatic late twist, a lengthy VAR review awarded Forest a penalty, which was coolly converted by Morgan Gibbs-White to seal all three points for the visitors.
Former West Ham and England goalkeeper Rob Green delivered a stark assessment after the game, stating: "Ten games without a win. They need 30 points at least to stay up. They are not going to get close at this rate."
Who Could Replace Nuno Espirito Santo?
With Nuno's position looking increasingly untenable, speculation is rife about a potential successor at the London Stadium. Early bookmakers' odds have identified several notable contenders, all listed at 25/1.
The rumoured candidates include:
- Ruud van Nistelrooy: The former Manchester United striker, who has managed PSV Eindhoven.
- Vitor Pereira: The Portuguese coach with experience across Europe and Asia.
- Ange Postecoglou: The former Tottenham Hotspur manager, known for his attacking philosophy.
- Steven Gerrard: The ex-Liverpool captain, who has previously managed Aston Villa and Rangers.
The club's hierarchy now faces a monumental decision. They must determine whether to persist with Nuno Espirito Santo in the hope of sparking a dramatic turnaround or to act swiftly and appoint a new manager in a desperate bid to salvage their Premier League status.
