Nuno Makes Creating the Hammers Philosophy His Number One Focus
Nuno Espírito Santo is convinced it will require patience to establish a clear philosophy at the London club. Having previously managed Forest, who is adjusting to his latest role, wants to connect with the club’s culture on an emotional level.
Discovering the Club’s Ethos
Hired after the abrupt departure of his predecessor, Nuno revealed that experienced club employees have been filling him in about the club’s inner workings. Upon questioning about his interpretation of the famous “West Ham way”, he grinned and acknowledged that it is interpreted differently—many fans view it as gung-ho football, while others value fighting spirit.
“That’s what I’m aiming to comprehend every day,” Nuno commented. “It’s not just learning—the emotion is essential. I need time to absorb it. Once we feel it, we need to embed it within.”
He emphasized that feeling makes the difference, rather than intellectual understanding. Regarding style and culture, Nuno stated they are still far from making it a reality. “It’s not enough the ‘West Ham way’—we must build it, we must feel it.”
Starting Period and Future Challenges
His time in charge began with an encouraging equal result on the road. Inquired about how close he is to developing a clear style, he answered, “In my opinion very far. It’s difficult and requires a collective push at the club. But it’s a priority.”
Commonly, supporters have a desire from the fanbase for entertaining style. The former manager, the most successful manager in recent times, eventually faced pressure due to his pragmatic approach. Those who followed had difficulties transforming the on-field approach in the period after his departure.
On-Field Approach and Team Structure
Nuno has been tasked to determine whether winning are the main goal than entertainment. The Hammers have let in 14 goals in their first six fixtures and are languishing in 19th place.
“What determines the team’s approach is not just the manager,” Nuno stated. “It’s the squad that determines our approach. We must find a balance between offense and defense. We cannot pushing up unbalanced, as that creates opportunities for our opponents. It’s vital to defend and organize, yet still focusing on our next move when we recover the ball.”
Squad Updates
Nuno’s side might have available first-team members for the upcoming fixture at Arsenal. In addition, the manager hinted at a possible recall for a former regular who was omitted in the most recent fixture. He had a brief stint under Nuno last season, though his temporary stay was ended early.
