Meet the opposition | West Ham United
As Swansea City prepare to face West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, we take a closer look at the Hammers.
What’s their story?
Founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC, West Ham United reformed under their current name in 1900. They moved to the Boleyn Ground in 1904, which remained their home for more than a century, before joining the Football League in 1919.
The Hammers reached the top flight in 1923, the same year they appeared in the first FA Cup final at Wembley. They went on to win the competition three times, in 1964, 1975 and 1980, and lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.
West Ham finished third in the First Division in 1985-86, their highest-ever league position. The club also played a significant role in England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, with Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters all part of the victorious squad.
After moving to the London Stadium in 2016, West Ham enjoyed further success in Europe, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023. However, relegation from the Premier League in 2025-26 means they now face the challenge of rebuilding in the Championship.
How’s their form?
West Ham United have made a strong start to life back in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
They currently sit third in the table, having collected 19 points from their opening 10 league games, with five wins, four draws and just one defeat.
Who’s the gaffer?
Nuno Espírito Santo took charge of West Ham United in September 2025, signing a three-year deal after a managerial career spanning Europe, the Middle East and the Premier League.
The Portuguese enjoyed significant success with Wolverhampton Wanderers, guiding the club to the Championship title in 2018 before securing consecutive seventh-place finishes in the Premier League and European qualification.
He also won the Saudi Pro League title and Saudi Super Cup with Al-Ittihad, before returning to English football with Nottingham Forest in December 2023. He led Forest to safety before overseeing a seventh-place finish in 2024-25.
Before moving into management, Espírito Santo enjoyed a playing career as a goalkeeper, representing Deportivo La Coruña, Porto and Dynamo Moscow. He was also part of Portugal’s squad for Euro 2008, although he never won a senior international cap, before beginning his coaching career in 2010.
Who’s the captain?
Jarrod Bowen is West Ham United’s club captain, having been appointed to the role in August 2024 after establishing himself as one of the club’s most influential attacking players.
The dynamic winger joined the Hammers from Hull City in January 2020 and has since become a key figure, scoring the winning goal in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina to secure the club’s first major trophy in 43 years.
Bowen previously impressed at Hull, scoring 54 goals in 131 appearances before making the move to the Premier League. He has also represented England at senior international level, earning his first call-up in 2022.
Who are the key men?
Konstantinos Mavropanos has emerged as one of West Ham United’s key players, with the Greece international defender making an impressive start to the 2026-27 Championship campaign.
The centre-back, who joined the Hammers from VfB Stuttgart in August 2023, has already scored five goals this season, providing a significant threat from the back as West Ham look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
Known as ‘Dinos’, Mavropanos enjoyed an outstanding 2025-26 campaign, being named Hammer of the Year after his performances for the club. His form has continued into the new season, with his contributions earning him the Championship Player of the Month award, while also having scored five goals.
Joël Piroe is another key attacking threat for West Ham United, having established himself as one of the Championship’s most prolific goalscorers.
The Suriname international joined the Hammers from Leeds United on loan in August 2026, with an obligation to make the move permanent in 2027. He has scored 73 Championship goals for Swansea City and Leeds, winning the Golden Boot with 19 goals as Leeds secured promotion in 2024-25.
Piroe scored 44 times in two seasons in south Wales and was named Swansea’s Player of the Year for 2021-22. After adding another 33 goals at Leeds, he switched international allegiance to Suriname in January 2026, having previously represented the Netherlands at youth level, and has made a bright start at West Ham, scoring three times in his opening league appearances.