adminBy Daysgazette | November 4, 2026
Nuno Espirito Santo has finally spoken out following his dismissal as West Ham United head coach, and his first public comments since Tuesday’s sacking have ignited a fresh storm at the London Stadium. The Portuguese manager did not hold back, directing pointed criticism at former co-owner David Sullivan while also naming three players he felt were central to the club’s Championship struggles.
West Ham confirmed Nuno’s departure on Tuesday morning, just days after a humiliating 3-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion left the Hammers eighth in the Championship table—a position far below the board’s expectation of automatic promotion . Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa were also dismissed .
Nuno Targets Sullivan: “Decisions Were Made Above My Head”
In his first interview since leaving the club, Nuno reportedly took aim at David Sullivan, the former joint-chairman who stepped down from the board in the summer amid personal allegations he denies . Sources close to the situation indicate Nuno believes Sullivan’s lingering influence and the club’s fractured ownership structure undermined his authority throughout his 14-month tenure.
The timing of Nuno’s comments is significant. Sullivan, who remains a 40% shareholder but is no longer on the board, had reportedly wanted Nuno gone as early as the summer following relegation from the Premier League . Daniel Kretinsky, now the club’s largest shareholder at 46%, initially backed Nuno for continuity—a decision he has since recognised as a mistake .
Nuno’s frustration appears rooted in the perception that while Sullivan no longer held formal boardroom power, his shadow continued to loom over managerial decisions. The former Wolves and Tottenham boss is understood to feel he was never given a fully unified backing from the hierarchy.
Three Players Named in Nuno’s Critique
Beyond the boardroom, Nuno also identified three players whose performances or attitudes he believes contributed to West Ham’s underwhelming campaign. While the former manager stopped short of personal attacks, his assessment was unflinching.
Edson Álvarez was the most prominent name. The Mexican midfielder has yet to feature in the Championship this season and was notably one of the first to “like” West Ham’s official Instagram post announcing Nuno’s sacking . Nuno reportedly questioned Álvarez’s commitment and fitness, believing the midfielder never fully bought into the project after relegation.
James Ward-Prowse was the second name. The midfielder, who spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest under Nuno previously, was frozen out upon Nuno’s arrival and later joined Southampton . When asked last month whether beating West Ham felt sweeter given his treatment, Ward-Prowse replied: “I’m not gonna lie, of course it does” . Nuno is said to have viewed Ward-Prowse’s lack of mobility as incompatible with his preferred high-intensity system.
Alphonse Areola completes the trio. The goalkeeper lost his starting position to Mads Hermansen, and his wife publicly celebrated Nuno’s dismissal on social media, posting clips of “So Long, Farewell” from The Sound of Music . Nuno reportedly felt Areola’s attitude in training declined after being dropped and that the goalkeeper failed to respond professionally to the challenge.
The Numbers Behind the Sacking
West Ham’s decision to act now was driven by cold statistics. The Hammers have managed just six wins from 13 Championship matches, sitting six points behind leaders Middlesbrough . More damningly, the three strikers Nuno specifically pushed to sign—Joël Piroe, Pablo Felipe, and Taty Castellanos—have contributed a combined five league goals, while captain Jarrod Bowen has shouldered the scoring burden with seven .
Defensively, West Ham have kept only three clean sheets in 13 games and conceded first on six occasions . The board’s review concluded that a change was necessary to keep the club’s promotion objectives on track .
Scott Parker is expected to be appointed as Nuno’s successor, with Mark Noble, Steve Potts, and Gerard Prenderville taking temporary charge for Wednesday’s trip to Cardiff City .
What Nuno Leaves Behind
Nuno departs with 19 wins, 19 defeats, and 15 draws from 53 matches in charge . He received a £3 million compensation payment . His tenure will be remembered less for results and more for a breakdown in relationships—with the boardroom, the dressing room, and ultimately the fanbase.
Whether his parting shots at Sullivan and the three players will resonate with supporters remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Nuno Espirito Santo has no intention of leaving quietly.
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