West Ham may sack Nuno Espirito Santo not necessarily due to his performance, but as a strategic move by the board to quiet escalating fan protests and deflect criticism of their own leadership.
West Ham United ownership may be forced to dismiss Nuno Espirito Santo to deflect growing hostility from supporters.
Following a 1-0 defeat to Fulham, “sack the board” chants dominated the London Stadium, leaving the Hammers 18th in the table and five points from safety.
Former scout Mick Brown suggests that David Sullivan and the board often use managerial changes as a tactical shield to shift blame during periods of intense fan unrest.
Despite the precarious league position, the board reportedly hopes Nuno can rectify the club’s poor form.
However, Brown warns that the manager’s job security is tied directly to the volume of the protests.
“On the grounds that the board will sack any manager in a bid to take the pressure off of themselves, it means there’s always the possibility,” Brown told Football Insider, labeling the current internal hierarchy a “basket case.”
The Hammers’ season has been defined by an inability to hold leads, winning just two of thirteen matches under Nuno’s tenure.
Brown, who previously worked alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, expressed skepticism that a managerial change would solve deeper systemic issues.
He noted, “The fingers always get pointed towards the manager, but if they think Nuno is the problem then I’ve got news for them,” as relegation fears continue to mount.