IT WAS a painful weekend for everybody connected with West Ham United.
Even though I from my role as vice-chair, is a club that will always remain with me.
West Ham were relegated from the Premier League last weekend Credit: Getty
Karren Brady stepped away from the Hammers earlier this year Credit: Getty
Like so many who have been part of it, you do not really leave it behind — it stays with you, especially on weekends like this.
Relegation hurts. There is no getting away from that and, honestly, there should not be.
If it did not hurt, then the club would not matter as much as it does to so many people.
What matters now is how the club responds — and personally I believe there are reasons for supporters to look forward with some optimism, particularly with remaining in charge.
When he came in, the situation was already difficult.
Confidence was low, pressure was everywhere and every game carried enormous weight.
Yet almost immediately there was greater organisation, greater discipline and, just as importantly, greater belief.
You could see players fighting again. You could see a manager taking responsibility.
Nuno Espirito Santo did his best to save West Ham Credit: PA
Nuno improved West Ham after his arrival last Autumn Credit: PA
And supporters could see somebody who understood exactly how important the club is to the people who follow it.
That connection matters.
I also think Nuno’s calmness will become important over the next year.
Relegation can easily lead to panic — panic in recruitment, panic among supporters desperate for instant answers.
But the punishes chaos.
It rewards stability, leadership and clear direction.
Nuno has shown before that he knows exactly how to build that.
At Wolves, he created more than just a promotion-winning side. He created a culture and a momentum that carried the club forward for years afterwards.
Players improved under him. Fans believed in what they were seeing.
There was a feeling of purpose about the whole football club.
Nuno won the Championship title with Wolves in 2018 Credit: PA:Press Association
The Hammers need a full reset this summer with Nuno at the helm Credit: Getty
West Ham need that feeling again now because while this season has been painful, there is still a strong core at the club to build around.
There are talented players, outstanding support and a fanbase that, despite all the frustration and disappointment, never stopped caring.
And football changes quickly. Not long ago, supporters were watching score the goal that delivered a European trophy in Prague.
Nobody can take that away from them.
Nights like that are reminders of what football can give you when everything finally comes together.
The challenge now is to build towards those moments again.
That will not happen overnight and nobody should pretend otherwise.
The Championship is unforgiving. There will be difficult away days, setbacks and moments when patience is tested.
But there is also an opportunity here — an opportunity to reset, to rebuild properly and to come back stronger.
Fans will always respect honesty and hard work above anything else.
Most do not expect miracles. They simply want to feel their club is moving in the right direction again.
Under Nuno, I believe it can.
Right now, the disappointment is raw, as it should be.
But football has a way of rewarding clubs that stay together after difficult moments.
And if West Ham can do that over the coming months, then this does not have to be the end of something.
It can be the start of something else instead.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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