Tensions are rising at the London Stadium, where Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure as West Ham United manager is increasingly under scrutiny. The Portuguese manager, who succeeded Graham Potter in late September, has struggled to steer the Hammers to safety, overseeing just two victories out of 15 matches.
Last weekend, West Ham suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Premier League’s bottom club, which keeps them deep in the relegation zone, four points away from safety. Following the defeat, Nuno faced the media to apologise to travelling fans for what he condemned as an “embarrassing” first-half performance.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Nuno expressed his dismay: “Nobody expected us to play so poorly. It was a real poor performance today. I wish I could tell you why. Now is the time for reflection – are we doing everything in our power to turn this around? There are critical things that need addressing.”
The January transfer window could provide some respite, but speculation continues to grow about Nuno’s future. Despite efforts in the transfer market, as reported by Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, the mood within the squad is deteriorating at a rapid pace, with Nuno’s management style and strategic decisions coming under fire.
The report highlights dissatisfaction stemming from a perceived lack of communication and Nuno’s distant approach. Confusion over his training methods and team selections has led to a sense of alienation among certain players, some of whom have been played out of position or barely communicated with since his arrival.
During the match against Wolves, it is reported that Nuno offered little in terms of motivation when the team was trailing 3-0 at the break.
Nevertheless, the West Ham board appears hesitant to part ways with their manager, keen to avoid a second dismissal this season. The club’s ongoing recruitment, which aligns with Nuno’s strategic inputs, suggests that an immediate managerial change is not imminent.
As West Ham looks to Nottingham Forest as their next challenge, the pressure is on for Nuno to reverse their fortunes and restore faith within a disheartened squad.