Nuno Espírito Santo Declares Creating West Ham Identity His Top Focus
The new West Ham manager is convinced it will be a gradual process to establish a distinct identity at the London club. Having previously managed Forest, who is getting accustomed to his latest role, hopes to forge a relationship with the organization’s traditions on an emotional level.
Discovering the Team Identity
Brought in after the recent dismissal of his predecessor, Nuno explained that longstanding staff have been filling him in about life at West Ham. In response to a query about his understanding of the team’s historic philosophy, he grinned and stated that it is interpreted differently—for some it’s as all-out offense, while other emphasize fighting spirit.
“This is what I’m trying to understand day by day,” he said. “It’s not just understanding—the emotion is essential. It takes time to absorb it. When it becomes part of us, we need to embed it within.”
He highlighted that feeling makes the difference, instead of mental comprehension. Regarding style and culture, Nuno conceded they are not yet close from making it a reality. “Merely talking about the ‘West Ham way’—let’s create it, we must feel it.”
Initial Phase and Upcoming Tests
His time in charge got underway with an encouraging share of the points on the road. Questioned about the distance he is to developing a team identity, he answered, “I think quite distant. It’s difficult and requires effort from everyone at the club. Yet it remains crucial.”
There is often a demand from followers for exciting football. The former manager, the club’s top West Ham boss, eventually faced criticism due to his practical style. Those who followed found it tough transforming the team’s style in the post-Moyes era.
On-Field Approach and Team Structure
Now, it falls to Nuno to determine whether winning are more important than attractive football. West Ham have let in 14 goals in the opening six Premier League games and find themselves in the relegation zone.
“What determines the team’s approach is not just the manager,” the manager emphasized. “The team itself that decides our style. We must find a balance between the two phases of play. We must avoid attacking recklessly, as that opens up spaces for our opponents. It’s vital to defend and organize, while also focusing on what we do once we have the ball.”
Team News
The club could welcome back key defenders for the upcoming fixture at Arsenal. Furthermore, the manager suggested a possible recall for a seasoned player who was left out in the most recent fixture. He had a brief stint under Nuno previously, though his time at the club was ended early.