Nuno Makes Creating the Hammers Identity His Number One Focus
Nuno Espírito Santo is convinced it will be a gradual process to build a distinct identity at the London club. The former Nottingham Forest manager, who is settling in to his recent appointment, hopes to connect with the club’s culture on an deeper level.
Absorbing the Team Identity
Brought in after the recent dismissal of the previous manager, Nuno explained that veteran members have been educating him about the club’s inner workings. Upon questioning about his interpretation of the famous “West Ham way”, he smiled and stated that it is interpreted differently—many fans view it as all-out offense, while different supporters prioritize heart and determination.
“This is what I’m aiming to comprehend day by day,” Nuno commented. “It’s not just knowing—it must be felt. I need time to feel it. When it becomes part of us, we must embody it fully.”
He emphasized that passion is crucial, not just mental comprehension. Regarding style and culture, Nuno admitted they are still far from making it a reality. “It’s not enough the ‘West Ham way’—we have to develop it, we need to embrace it.”
Early Days and Long Road Ahead
Nuno’s tenure got underway with an promising share of the points away to Everton. Inquired about the distance he is to establishing a clear style, he responded, “I think very far. It’s challenging and demands effort from everyone at the club. However, it’s our main focus.”
Frequently, there is a expectation from the fanbase for attacking play. The former manager, the most successful manager in recent times, later encountered pressure due to his defensive mindset. Later coaches had difficulties altering the on-field approach in the post-Moyes era.
Style of Play and Team Structure
Nuno has been tasked to choose whether winning are more important than attractive football. The Hammers have let in a high number of goals in their first six fixtures and find themselves in the relegation zone.
“What shapes the style of play is not the coach,” he explained. “It’s the squad that determines our approach. We need to find a balance between defense and attack. We must avoid pushing up unbalanced, as that leaves gaps for the opposition. We have to maintain defensive shape, but always keeping in mind our next move when we recover the ball.”
Team News
Nuno’s side could welcome back first-team members ahead of the next match against Arsenal. Furthermore, the head coach suggested a comeback chance for an experienced midfielder who was left out in the last match. The player had a brief stint under Nuno earlier, though his temporary stay was concluded prematurely.
