Nuno Espírito Santo apologised for West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League and refused to say whether he intends to continue as manager next season.

With victory over Leeds on the final day not enough to lift West Ham out of the bottom three at Tottenham’s expense, Nuno was reluctant to discuss whether he will stay. He is free to walk away from the three-year deal he signed in September while West Ham can part company with him without paying compensation.

There are indications that West Ham want to keep Nuno but the former Nottingham Forest manager did not dispel doubts over whether he wants to manage in the Championship after his side’s relegation was confirmed on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s not about me,” Nuno said. “We are in a tough place and West Ham has to go back in the Premier League. But now we have to go through this period of sadness, understanding the frustration and anger of the fans.”

Asked when he plans to talk to West Ham’s board, Nuno said: “You keep insisting [to ask] me about that and my mind is not there, you understand? Today, tomorrow, if we have a press conference, next one, for sure we can speak about that. But today, it’s about understanding how tough it is.”

West Ham posted losses of £104.2m last year and face players such as Jarrod Bowen, Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. “I understand and we have to be ready for many things that will be coming out in the press,” Nuno said. “About speculation, about all of us, our future. But today is not the day to think about that.”

This is the first time since 2011 that a side have gone down with a tally of 39 points. Nuno led a revival after Christmas but could not do enough after replacing Graham Potter.

“It’s the day to understand the moment of sadness of our fans, of ourselves, of the club,” Nuno said. “And apologise and thank them for all of the support they gave us through the season, the way we re-established a good relationship here with our fans, and respect them.”

Bowen refused to discuss his future. “It’s disrespectful to everyone to start talking about that,” West Ham’s captain said. “I want this club to be in the Premier League. It’s a club that means so much to me. My vision is to get this club back in the Premier League.”