Official: West Ham appoints new manager

West Ham is pulling out all the stops to secure their Premier League survival, bolstering their coaching staff in the process.

Details: Spanish specialist Paco Jémez has officially joined West Ham’s coaching staff under the leadership of Nuno Espírito Santo.

• See also: Racing vs Barcelona prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 15 January 2026

Jémez, a former Spanish national team centre-back (21 caps), enjoyed a stellar playing career in La Liga, making over 250 appearances for Rayo Vallecano, Deportivo La Coruña (where he played alongside Nuno), and Zaragoza, with whom he lifted the Copa del Rey in 2001. Since beginning his coaching career in 2007, he has managed clubs in Spain, Mexico, and Iran, including a five-year spell at Rayo Vallecano, where he guided the side to a record eighth-place La Liga finish in the 2012/13 season. His most recent managerial role was with Ibiza.

Pending successful work permit approval, Jémez will work alongside first-team coaches Mark Robson, Steve Potts, and Gerard Prenderville, as well as goalkeeping coaches Rui Barbosa and Billy Lepine.

It’s worth noting that West Ham currently sit 18th in the table, seven points adrift of safety. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have lost 13 of their 21 league matches, with their last victory coming back on November 8 against Burnley.

Reminder: West Ham players face a 50 percent pay cut if the club is relegated from the Premier League.