Nuno Espírito Santo Declares Creating the Hammers Philosophy His Number One Focus
Nuno Espírito Santo feels it will take time to establish a unique playing style at West Ham United. The former Nottingham Forest manager, who is getting accustomed to his recent appointment, wants to forge a relationship with the club’s culture on an emotional level.
Discovering the Club’s Ethos
Brought in after the abrupt departure of the previous manager, Nuno explained that veteran members have been educating him about the club’s inner workings. Upon questioning about his view of the team’s historic philosophy, he smiled and acknowledged that it carries various meanings—many fans view it as all-out offense, while different supporters prioritize fighting spirit.
“It’s exactly what I’m aiming to comprehend every day,” he said. “It goes beyond understanding—the emotion is essential. Patience is required to internalize it. When it becomes part of us, we must embed it within.”
He emphasized that feeling is crucial, not just intellectual understanding. Regarding playing identity, Nuno conceded they are not yet close from realizing it. “It’s not enough the ‘West Ham way’—we must build it, we must feel it.”
Initial Phase and Long Road Ahead
Nuno’s tenure got underway with an positive equal result away to Everton. Questioned about the distance he is to establishing a team identity, he answered, “Personally, I feel not very close. It’s challenging and requires a collective push at the club. However, it’s our main focus.”
Frequently, there is a expectation from supporters for entertaining style. David Moyes, historically achieving West Ham boss, later encountered pressure due to his defensive mindset. Those who followed found it tough altering the team’s style in the period after his departure.
On-Field Approach and Player Roles
Now, it falls to Nuno to decide whether results are a higher priority than entertainment. West Ham have allowed a high number of goals in the initial six fixtures and are languishing in a low position.
“What shapes the way we play is not the coach,” the manager emphasized. “It’s the squad that influences our approach. We must achieve harmony between the two phases of play. We cannot pushing up unbalanced, as that creates opportunities for rival teams. It’s vital to maintain defensive shape, yet still keeping in mind what we do when we recover the ball.”
Player Availability
West Ham may see the return of first-team members in preparation for the fixture at Arsenal. Also, the head coach hinted at a potential return for an experienced midfielder who was not included in the most recent fixture. He spent some time under the manager previously, but his loan spell was cut short.
