Somebody needs to light a fire underneath the West Ham United board and management. Yes of course, relegation has been confirmed. We’re all sad about it. But there’s a Championship season over the horizon which starts in just seventy six days.
Now that Nuno has been confirmed as ‘staying’, (for whatever reason, footballing or contractural, depending on who you watch), West Ham need to pull their fingers out and get on with identifying the shape of their promotion – challenging 2026/7 first team.
The last-day relegation shock has been detrimental to forward planning; it seems there was a certain amount of ‘denial’ that prevented any contingency work going on before the painful last weekend of Premier League action.
Unlike relegated side Wolverhampton Wanderers. The bottom side had the -erm- ‘luxury’ of knowing since about March that they were heading for the second tier, and thus have stolen a march on the Hammers and already started their renaissance.
Not only have they tied their new manager down to a deal but they’ve already agreed their first summer signing:
The Hammers, on the other hand don’t even seem to have a head of recruitment in place with reports that Max Hahn is said to be on his way out of the London Stadium this summer.
Inactivity rules at London Stadium with the board, anecdotally, more engrossed in Sullivan and Kretinsky’s share holdings and ownership for next season.
The one positive sign so far is the suggestion that Paco Jemez may be about to re-sign as Nuno’s assistant : You’d hope there are more appointments in the pipeline as the lethargic Hammers need to start catching up damn’ quick.
I would have thought Trippier on a two maybe three year contract at the age of 35 would be a great example of the type of signing this site has been hoping we won’t get involved with again
So, a club who more than likely will be one of our main promotion rivals, has jumped ahead of us.. I’m Shocked, shocked. No I’m not that shocked really. This is just another example among many others, of our board of director’s inability to plan ahead, and if they are successful business people.. I think I may have missed my vocation..
“Paco Jemez may be about to re-sign as Nuno’s assistant”. Re-sign or resign? To hyphenate or hibernate? That is the question. 🧐
he already seemed resigned to his resignation until Nuno asked him to reconsider his resignation and re-sign. Clear now?
I think he only had a contract til end of season
Ha ha, clear as mud. Thanks Martin! 😂
Spot on article.
I think a 35 yo full back could get roasted in a manic championship full of physicality. I’d plan on playing him more centrally, pulling the strings. I wouldn’t be putting him up against some 20 yo whippet.
If your plan is signing free agents like 35 year old free agent Trippier yes we are behind. Perhaps our plan isn’t taking 35 year old on two year contracts? The club might be talking to other more interesting opportunities.
We really shouldn’t be surprised at the ineptitude and sclerotic methods at which this ownership works. Nothing will change unless he toddles off