The drop ends West Ham's 14-year stay in the Premier League. /WEST HAM
West Ham United have vowed to "fight with everything" to secure an immediate return to top-flight football next season following their relegation from the Premier League.
Despite securing a 3-0 victory over Leeds United on the final day of the 2025–26 season on Sunday, West Ham were relegated after fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur defeated Everton, finishing two points clear of the Hammers.
The drop ends West Ham's 14-year stay in the Premier League, meaning Nuno Espírito Santo's side will compete in the EFL Championship during the 2026–27 season.
In a statement, the club's management described the relegation as a "sad and painful moment", acknowledging that the season had been difficult but insisting the focus had already shifted to securing an immediate return to the top flight.
"As we have done before, we will fight with everything we have to return to the top division of English football at the first time of asking. The hard work to make that goal a reality begins immediately," the statement read in part.
West Ham entered the final round of fixtures needing to beat Leeds United and hope Everton denied Tottenham victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While the Hammers completed their side of the bargain with a convincing win at London Stadium, Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Everton sealed West Ham's fate and condemned the club to its first relegation since the 2010–11 season.
The east London side bounced back immediately from the 2011 setback, earning promotion to the Premier League the following year.
Club captain Jarrod Bowen admitted the relegation was painful but said his commitment remains focused on helping West Ham regain their place among England's elite.
"Getting this club relegated, it hurts. We shouldn't be in the position we're in but we've found ourselves in it, and we've not done enough to stay up. Hurt is the only thing I feel," Bowen said.
"We've had so many games when we could have got different results."
The England international dismissed speculation about his future, insisting it was too soon to discuss personal plans while the disappointment of relegation remained fresh.
"It's still very, very raw. It's disrespectful to everyone to start talking about my future. I want this club to be in the Premier League. It's a club that means so much to me and has given me so much, so my vision is to get this club back in the Premier League."
West Ham finished the season with 39 points, having conceded 19 more goals than they scored. That record was better than fellow relegated sides Burnley, who ended the campaign on 22 points with a goal difference of minus 37, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who finished bottom on 20 points with a goal difference of minus 41.
In its statement, West Ham thanked supporters for their unwavering loyalty throughout what it described as a "difficult and disappointing season", while acknowledging the team had failed to reward fans with the performances and results they deserved.
"The plain truth is that we have not been good enough. We must now face the consequences of that failure with honesty, transparency and a determination to repair, refocus and rebuild," the statement said.
Management said the club's identity is defined not by success or failure on the pitch, but by the values and traditions rooted in east London and the spirit of supporters who carry the club's famous Claret and Blue colours in their hearts.
Founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC before being reformed as West Ham United in 1900, the club will now turn its attention to rebuilding and mounting a promotion challenge in the Championship next season.
