Verdict: Why West Ham could hire their next manager for just £700,000.

West Ham United have still not yet made the decision to part company with Nuno Espirito Santo, despite growing calls from supporters for the club to make a managerial change.

However, the debate surrounding his position is becoming louder, particularly after a difficult run of results that has seen the Hammers slide down the Championship table. Among the names repeatedly linked with a possible move to the London Stadium is former West Ham striker Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy remains an intriguing possibility

A return to east London could prove extremely appealing to Bellamy, who spent time with the club during his playing career. The former Wales international was known for his aggressive style, determination and passionate personality, qualities that supporters may feel are currently missing from the team.

West Ham’s recent decline has been particularly frustrating because their situation looked completely different only a few weeks ago. The Hammers had climbed into the automatic promotion places after beating Swansea, raising hopes that they could immediately challenge for a return to the Premier League.

Those hopes have faded quickly.

Back-to-back home defeats against Southampton and West Brom have increased the pressure surrounding Nuno. West Ham are now sitting eighth in the Championship, leaving supporters increasingly concerned about the direction of the campaign.

Bellamy was previously considered by Burnley earlier this year, but he ultimately chose to remain with the Wales national team. His international responsibilities would therefore present an obvious complication if West Ham decided that he was their preferred candidate.

What would Bellamy cost?

There is currently nothing concrete to suggest that West Ham have decided to sack Nuno, meaning speculation over possible replacements remains relatively limited at present.

Nevertheless, one particularly interesting detail has emerged regarding Bellamy’s potential availability. BBC Sport reported in May that it would require a minimum compensation payment of around £700,000 to release him from his Wales contract.

In the current managerial market, that figure could represent a relatively inexpensive opportunity today for West Ham.

Even so, £700,000 is a comparatively small amount for a club looking for a new manager, particularly if West Ham believe the former striker can reignite their promotion campaign.

Other candidates emerge

Bellamy is not the only name being discussed. Thomas Frank has also been mentioned as a possible candidate after becoming available following his departure from Tottenham last season.

Frank has considerable Premier League experience and a strong reputation for developing teams, but whether he would be interested in returning to the Championship is another matter entirely.

West Ham would need to convince any potential replacement that their project remains attractive, despite the uncertainty surrounding their current position.

The Championship is notoriously difficult, and promotion cannot be taken for granted. West Ham’s recent problems demonstrate how quickly momentum can disappear.

One week, supporters were dreaming about automatic promotion. Soon afterwards, consecutive home defeats had transformed the mood completely.

Nuno needs immediate response

For now, Nuno remains in charge and still has an opportunity to change the conversation. The Hammers have important fixtures against Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers before the next international break, and victories in both matches could dramatically alter the atmosphere around the club.

Two wins would put West Ham back in contention near the top of the Championship and potentially restore some confidence among supporters.

Anything less, however, could increase the pressure significantly.

If West Ham fail to respond, the November international break could become a crucial moment for the club’s hierarchy. Daniel Kretinsky and the board may then have to decide whether continuing with Nuno offers the best chance of achieving promotion or whether a fresh manager is required.

The uncertainty surrounding Bellamy makes the situation even more interesting. His role with Wales means combining the two jobs would need careful consideration, while leaving the national team could represent a significant career decision.

Still, if West Ham genuinely view Bellamy as their preferred replacement, the reported £700,000 compensation figure means financial negotiations should not be a major obstacle.

The bigger question is whether the club will actually decide that a change is necessary.

For supporters, the next two matches could therefore be decisive. West Ham have already shown this season that they are capable of competing near the top, but they need to rediscover that consistency quickly.

The Hammers cannot afford another prolonged slump if promotion remains the objective. Bellamy offers passion, familiarity and potentially a fresh spark, while Frank would provide a more established managerial profile.

For now, however, Nuno has the chance to save his job. If West Ham win twice before the break, talk of a new appointment may disappear. If they stumble again, the board could be forced to explore alternatives, with Bellamy potentially costing only £700,000 to release.