Nuno faces West Ham sack after Wolves disaster as ex-boss could return

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 3 Jan 2026 19:16 GMT
  • 4 min read
Nuno Espirito Santo, West Ham
© IMAGO

Nuno Espirito Santo is at increasing risk of the sack after West Ham were demolished by Wolves on Saturday.

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The Hammers travelled to Molineux off the back of an eight-game winless run with the aim to finally turn their fortunes around in the midst of what is set to be a busy transfer window.

However, the game against last-placed Wolves, who had yet to win a game in the Premier League this season, was anything but a walk in the park. The hosts stormed into a three-goal lead in the first half and did not surrender their advantage in the second half.

If anything, Wolves could have scored more than three against an apathetic West Ham side that looked more like the team on course for a historically bad season.

According to talkSPORT, the result leaves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who only replaced Graham Potter in late September, at serious risk of being dismissed.

Bilic ready to return to West Ham

It is claimed that Hammers owner David Sullivan is putting contingency plans in place in case it is decided to part ways with Nuno. Former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is ready to return if the club choose to go down that path.

Sullivan already considered bringing Bilic back before Nuno replaced Potter. The Croatian has been out of a job since leaving Saudi Pro League club Al-Fateh in 2024.

Nuno Espirito Santo
© IMAGO - Nuno Espirito Santo

In addition to Bilic, West Ham are also considering Man Utd legend Michael Carrick as a potential replacement for Nuno. Carrick was sacked by Middlesbrough in June and, ironically, succeeded by Rob Edwards, who is now in charge of Wolves.

Before losing his job after an underwhelming 10th-place finish, Carrick was thought to be doing a good job at Boro. He saved them from relegation and led them into the playoffs in his first season and was rewarded with a new deal after his second.

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