Nuno Espírito Santo Makes Creating West Ham Philosophy His Top Focus
Nuno Espírito Santo believes it will take time to establish a distinct identity at the London club. Having previously managed Forest, who is getting accustomed to his recent appointment, aims to bond with the team’s heritage on an personal level.
Absorbing the Team Identity
Hired after the sudden exit of the previous manager, Nuno mentioned that longstanding staff have been filling him in about the club’s inner workings. Upon questioning about his understanding of the famous “West Ham way”, he smiled and admitted that it carries various meanings—for some it’s as gung-ho football, while others value heart and determination.
“It’s exactly what I’m aiming to comprehend on a daily basis,” he said. “It’s more than knowing—we have to feel it. I need time to feel it. When it becomes part of us, we need to make it part of us.”
He stressed that emotion is crucial, instead of theoretical knowledge. Regarding philosophy and identity, Nuno admitted they are still far from making it a reality. “It’s not enough the ‘West Ham way’—we must build it, we need to embrace it.”
Starting Period and Upcoming Tests
Nuno’s tenure got underway with an encouraging share of the points at Everton. When asked about how close he is to forming a team identity, he responded, “In my opinion quite distant. It’s difficult and requires total commitment at the club. But it’s a priority.”
Commonly, supporters have a desire from the fanbase for entertaining style. The former manager, historically achieving manager in recent times, eventually faced pressure due to his pragmatic approach. Later coaches found it tough changing the on-field approach in the post-Moyes era.
Style of Play and Team Structure
The responsibility now lies with Nuno to decide whether results are more important than entertainment. The team have let in 14 goals in the opening six league matches and find themselves in the relegation zone.
“What determines the way we play is not only the head coach,” Nuno stated. “It’s the squad that decides our approach. It’s essential to achieve harmony between the two phases of play. We cannot attacking recklessly, because that leaves gaps for our opponents. We must be solid at the back, yet still prioritizing our next move when we recover the ball.”
Player Availability
The club might have available first-team members in preparation for the fixture at Arsenal. In addition, the head coach suggested a potential return for an experienced midfielder who was omitted in the last match. He previously worked under the manager previously, but his loan spell was cut short.
