June 7, 2023, marked a pivotal moment in West Ham UnitedTeam·West Ham United's history, as the club secured its first major European trophy in 58 years. On this day three years ago, the Hammers defeated ACF FiorentinaTeam·Fiorentina 2-1 in a thrilling UEFA Europa Conference League final held in Prague, a memory now revisited amidst a starkly different reality for the London club.
The final itself was a tense affair. After a goalless first half, West Ham broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when Saïd Benrahma converted a penalty, awarded after FiorentinaTeam·Fiorentina captain Cristiano BiraghiPlayer·Cristiano Biraghi was penalised for handball. The Italian side responded swiftly, with Giacomo Bonaventura levelling the score just four minutes later, expertly controlling the ball before firing past Alphonse AreolaPlayer·Alphonse Areola. As the match entered added time, the decisive moment arrived. Lucas Paquetá delivered a precise pass to Jarrod BowenPlayer·Jarrod Bowen, who raced clear and clinically slotted the ball into the corner with his left foot, sealing a memorable victory for West Ham UnitedTeam·West Ham United.
However, the jubilation of that European night stands in stark contrast to West Ham's fortunes in the recently concluded 2025/26 season. The club endured a challenging campaign, culminating in their relegation from the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League on the final day, marking their return to the EFL Championship for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
West Ham finished 18th in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League standings, accumulating 39 points from 10 wins, 9 draws, and 19 losses. The team scored 46 goals while conceding 65, resulting in a goal difference of -19. The season saw a managerial change early on, with Graham PotterCoach·Graham Potter being replaced by Nuno Espírito Santo as head coach on September 27, following a difficult start to the campaign. Despite a convincing 3-0 victory over Leeds UnitedTeam·Leeds United in their final league match, it was not enough to secure survival, as Tottenham HotspurTeam·Tottenham Hotspur's win against EvertonTeam·Everton confirmed West Ham's drop.
Beyond the league, West Ham UnitedTeam·West Ham United's 2025/26 season included reaching the quarter-finals of the FA CupCompetition·FA Cup and an exit in the second round of the EFL CupCompetition·EFL Cup. The relegation has triggered expectations of significant changes within the club. Reports suggest a potential takeover by billionaire Daniel KretinskyPlayer·Daniel Kretinsky, an existing shareholder, who is reportedly committed to the club despite their demotion. Co-chairman David Sullivan has also resigned. A mass exodus of players is anticipated, with Mateus FernandesPlayer·Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio SummervillePlayer·Crysencio Summerville among those expected to seek opportunities to remain in Europe's top leagues. Jarrod BowenPlayer·Jarrod Bowen, the hero of Prague, was the club's top goalscorer in the league with nine goals, and eleven across all competitions. Goalkeeper Alphonse AreolaPlayer·Alphonse Areola was notably omitted from the France squad for the 2026 World Cup, a decision his wife reportedly attributed to manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
As West Ham UnitedTeam·West Ham United reflects on a glorious European past, the club now faces the immediate challenge of rebuilding and navigating the EFL Championship, with significant structural and squad changes on the horizon.
Declan Rice celebrates West Ham's UEFA Europa Conference League victory with his nephews. Focus Images/IMAGO
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