Nuno Espírito Santo is in danger of losing the support of West Ham’s squad because of concerns over his man-management and tactics. The east London club are at increasing risk of relegation from the Premier League after their 3-0 defeat by Wolves on Saturday and it is understood that the mood at the London Stadium is rapidly deteriorating.
Nuno has struggled badly since replacing Graham Potter in September, winning only two of his 15 games in charge, and is under growing pressure before Tuesday’s crunch game against his former side Nottingham Forest. The indications are that West Ham, who are in 18th place and lie four points below Forest, will stick with their manager but his methods are coming under increased scrutiny.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation have described Nuno as distant and uncommunicative on a day-to-day basis, while it is understood that there is frustration over confusing training methods and team selections. Morale is slipping and what is perceived as a lack of clear communication has left some players feeling that they have no way of forcing their way into the Portuguese’s plans.
Some members of the squad feel alienated and it is understood that some key individuals believe they have been played out of position in certain games.
There was confusion when Nuno played full-backs on the wrong side and started without a recognised forward in damaging defeats by Leeds and Brentford in October. Eyebrows have been raised at how West Ham have faded after making defensive substitutions in subsequent games. Alarm at how the team’s performance metrics have been going down has been rising for some time. It meant the wretched performance against Wolves, who had not won a league game all season, came as little surprise. Sources claim that Nuno, who cut a dispirited figure on the touchline, said little to rouse his players when they found themselves 3-0 down at half-time.
Multiple sources have said that Nuno, who was sacked by Forest in September, has barely spoken to some players since joining the club. Another bone of contention is the experienced midfielder James Ward-Prowse being sidelined by Nuno. The 31-year-old has not been involved in any matchday squads since the former Wolves manager’s appointment. The midfielder had a loan spell cut short when he was with Nuno at Forest last season.
West Ham’s board remain reluctant to make their second sacking of a disastrous season. They have tried to back Nuno in the transfer market and have agreed to his decisions on signings. They have boosted their attack by signing Pablo from Gil Vicente for £18.3m plus £2.6m in add-ons and are set to buy Taty Castellanos from Lazio for £26.1m. Adama Traoré, who played for Nuno at Wolves, is expected to join from Fulham for £7m. The wider context to Nuno’s struggles is that he has inherited a deeply flawed squad and has joined a club whose owners have faced multiple protests from unhappy supporters.
Pablo is represented by Jorge Mendes, Nuno’s agent. The 22-year-old is seen as a bright prospect. However, he had a hamstring injury in December and was an unused substitute against Wolves, even though West Ham were in desperate need of attacking inspiration. It remains to be seen if Pablo is physically ready to make an immediate impact in English football.
Yet the fact that West Ham’s recruitment is being led by Nuno’s requests is seen as a sign that the club are not about to make an imminent change.
Slaven Bilic, a former West Ham manager, has been linked with a possible return should Nuno depart before the end of the season. West Ham were approached for comment.
