Nuno Espírito Santo Makes Building West Ham Philosophy His Number One Focus
Nuno Espírito Santo believes it will be a gradual process to establish a unique playing style at West Ham United. Having previously managed Forest, who is settling in to his latest role, hopes to connect with the team’s heritage on an personal level.
Learning the West Ham Way
Brought in after the abrupt departure of the previous manager, Nuno explained that experienced club employees have been bringing him up to speed about life at West Ham. Upon questioning about his interpretation of the famous “West Ham way”, he beamed and admitted that it means different things—for some it’s as attacking play, while others value fighting spirit.
“That’s what I’m aiming to comprehend on a daily basis,” Nuno commented. “It’s more than knowing—the emotion is essential. It takes time to internalize it. After it’s internalized, we must embed it within.”
He emphasized that emotion makes the difference, instead of theoretical knowledge. On the topic of playing identity, Nuno admitted they are not yet close from achieving it. “Simply saying the ‘West Ham way’—let’s create it, we must feel it.”
Starting Period and Long Road Ahead
His time in charge got underway with an encouraging equal result at Everton. Questioned about how close he is to developing a recognizable philosophy, he answered, “I think not very close. It’s a tough task and demands a collective push at the club. But it’s a priority.”
Frequently, there is a expectation from followers for attacking play. David Moyes, the most successful modern-era coach, eventually faced criticism due to his practical style. Later coaches found it tough changing the team’s style in the period after his departure.
On-Field Approach and Player Roles
The responsibility now lies with Nuno to decide whether winning are a higher priority than entertainment. The team have let in 14 goals in the initial six league matches and currently sit in 19th place.
“What shapes the team’s approach is not just the manager,” the manager emphasized. “The team itself that influences our approach. It’s essential to achieve harmony between offense and defense. It’s not possible to going forward without structure, because that creates opportunities for the opposition. We have to be solid at the back, yet still prioritizing our next move after winning possession.”
Squad Updates
Nuno’s side may see the return of key defenders in preparation for the match against Arsenal. Furthermore, the head coach suggested a possible recall for a seasoned player who was left out in the previous game. He spent some time under Nuno earlier, however his loan spell was ended early.
