The mood around West Ham United is becoming increasingly bleak after another damaging Premier League defeat, this time at Newcastle United, a loss that left Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo publicly apologising to supporters.
Following a performance that many supporters viewed as symbolic of the club’s wider malaise this season, Nuno’s comments reflected both frustration and resignation as he admitted the team had fallen far below expectations.The under-pressure 52-year-old insisted the squad “should apologise to our fans,” while acknowledging the travelling support had every right to vent their collective frustration after another limp and insipid display.
The defeat leaves the Hammers on the brink of relegation, relying on Tottenham losing both of their remaining fixtures and facing a goal difference deficit that is effectively impossible to overcome. Nuno’s post-match assessment was brutally honest.
"A bad performance, a bad day for us. It hurts deeply. It’s tough," he began, when addressing the media during his press conference. "It was a bad performance. It’s been like this recently, not being clinical enough to take advantage of our chances, but we realise that it was not a good performance.
"I apologise to our fans. They showed their frustration and with reason, when they see a team that doesn’t make them proud. It’s right and today we didn’t make ourselves or them proud."
Dropping into the Championship, which now seems likely, would represent a huge economic shock for West Ham. Premier League broadcasting revenue is one of the largest income streams in world football and relegation would result in annual revenues being slashed dramatically.
Analysts estimate the club - already north of £100million in debt, as revealed in the most recent annual accounts - may lose in excess of a further £100 million in revenue after relegation, even when parachute payments are accounted for.
Relegated clubs receive approximately 55% of the Premier League’s equal-share broadcasting money in year one following relegation, dropping over subsequent seasons.
And while that support helps with short-term cash flow - insufficiently, as it would transpire in this instance, given West Ham's parlous financial position - it rarely compensates fully for the collapse in television income, sponsorship value and commercial appeal.
While West Ham's transfer-related liabilities approach £192million, the club’s wage structure, in the event of relegation would represent another major concern.
Falling into the second tier would almost certainly trigger a fire sale - not unlike the summer of 2003 - of key players such as Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen plus others with substantial market value such as centre half Dinos Mavropanos who have been linked with a return to Europe.
Come what may, the thoughtful Nuno remained philosophical amidst the general doom and gloom that naturally follows such a crushing and damaging defeat. It was a loss that also leaves his own future at the club shrouded in uncertainly, should relegation be confirmed,
"We’re going to work hard, see what can happen on Tuesday [when Tottenham visit Chelsea]," he said. "If it’s possible, we’ll give it a go [against Leeds], but we realise that it’s really hard. I think it's going to be a tough week ahead of us.
"Our final match of the season is going to be at the London Stadium and we owe it to our fans to show a better performance. This week, more than ever, it is going to be required to finish the season with dignity, with respect for the club."
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