'Not fit to wear the shirt' - Nuno Espirito Santo reacts to brutal West Ham fan criticism as relegation nears

Nuno Espirito Santo understands why West Ham supporters chanted his players were 'not fit to wear the shirt' following their 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

The Hammers were brushed aside at St. James' Park on Sunday afternoon, leaving the club on the brink of relegation to the Championship. Nick Woltemade opened the scoring for the home side, and a Will Osula brace put the game beyond doubt, before Taty Castellanos scored a stunning consolation goal.

West Ham sit 18th in the Premier League table, two points behind local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Nuno's side could be relegated on Tuesday night if Spurs win at Chelsea, while even a draw would likely be enough due to their superior goal difference.

Tottenham possess a better goal difference by 13, so they would most likely only need one point from their final two league matches to avoid relegation. West Ham will have to defeat Leeds United at home on the final day of the season to have any chance of staying in the league.

West Ham's loyal away support made their feelings known at full-time and didn't hold back in their brutal chants towards the playing squad.

Nuno was deeply disappointed by the performance and fully understood where the fans were coming from in their assessment of the match. "It hurts a lot, of course. This is our job, this is our life, but the fans are right and today they show their anger and frustration and they have reasons to," he said.

"It hurts, it hurts the boys, it hurts us, it hurts the club. That’s why this week we should finish the season with dignity and respect for the fans.

"We should do better so we can show at the London Stadium to our fans a different performance and attitude in terms of the game.

"Anything is possible. Let’s wait for Tuesday. Even though it’s difficult, we’re still alive. Let’s see. There’s some hope.

"But more than anything is respect. Let’s prepare ourselves and show a better performance. This is what our fans deserve."

It is understood West Ham would like Nuno to remain as manager should they be relegated to the Championship this week, though there is no indication yet of what the Portuguese coach would like to do.

Should the Hammers be relegated, either party can terminate Nuno's managerial contract without compensation being paid, despite the fact that it still has two years left on it.

The 52-year-old was appointed West Ham boss last September, just 18 days after he was sacked by Nottingham Forest. He has previous Championship experience, having guided Wolverhampton Wanderers to promotion from the division.