Nuno Espírito Santo Makes Building West Ham Philosophy His Number One Priority
The new West Ham manager believes it will take time to establish a clear philosophy at the London club. Having previously managed Forest, who is adjusting to his latest role, hopes to forge a relationship with the club’s culture on an personal level.
Absorbing the Team Identity
Hired after the sudden exit of the previous manager, Nuno explained that longstanding staff have been educating him about the club’s inner workings. When asked about his interpretation of the club’s famous identity, he grinned and stated that it is interpreted differently—some see it as gung-ho football, while others value heart and determination.
“That’s what I’m aiming to comprehend day by day,” he explained. “It’s more than knowing—we have to feel it. It takes time to internalize it. When it becomes part of us, we must make it part of us.”
He highlighted that emotion makes the difference, rather than theoretical knowledge. When it comes to style and culture, Nuno admitted they are still far from achieving it. “Merely talking about the ‘West Ham way’—let’s create it, we need to embrace it.”
Starting Period and Future Challenges
The new manager’s start began with an promising share of the points at Everton. Inquired about the proximity he is to developing a clear style, he replied, “I think not very close. It’s a tough task and requires total commitment at the club. But it’s a priority.”
Frequently, there is a expectation from followers for exciting football. The former manager, historically achieving manager in recent times, later encountered criticism due to his practical style. Those who followed also struggled transforming the team’s style in the period after his departure.
On-Field Approach and Player Roles
Now, it falls to Nuno to decide whether points are a higher priority than attractive football. The team have let in a high number of goals in the initial six fixtures and find themselves in the relegation zone.
“What influences the style of play is not the coach,” he explained. “The team itself that determines how we play. It’s essential to achieve harmony between the two phases of play. We cannot attacking recklessly, since that creates opportunities for the opposition. We have to maintain defensive shape, but always prioritizing our next move when we recover the ball.”
Player Availability
West Ham may see the return of important players in preparation for the match against Arsenal. In addition, the manager left the door open a possible recall for a former regular who was left out in the most recent fixture. The player had a brief stint under Nuno earlier, but his time at the club was ended early.
