How Nuno Espirito Santo Lost Control at West Ham
Nuno Espirito Santo and West Ham was never the happiest of marriages. Having been parachuted in to replace Graham Potter five games into last season, himself having left Nottingham Forest after three, there was plenty of time to turn things around.
Survival was never grasped, but despite a split at the highest level there was a feeling that Nuno's Championship pedigree, having won promotion at a canter with Wolves, would see them through. West Ham had a manager who had done it before, the highest wage bill in the second tier and broke the Championship transfer record with the £22million addition of Arne Engels.
Tactical Struggles and Fan Discontent
They also managed to hold on to captain Jarrod Bowen, by far the most talented player in the league. But now, after consecutive home defeats to promotion rivals they sit in eighth, disjointed and without a clear plan to move forwards. Nuno's football never chimed with the fanbase, who expected to dominate the division from the off.
Things clicked on occasion, with thumping wins over Derby, Wrexham and Lincoln. But in truth they continued to play within themselves when it really mattered. The former Tottenham manager's future has been up for debate within the corridors of power at the London Stadium long before now.
Boardroom Decisions and Behind-the-Scenes Tension
In January there was a decision to be made, and they stuck with him, not wanting to hire and fire their way through the season. There were differences of opinion at the end of the season, when Scott Parker, now coming in as Nuno's successor, was first considered. And with things not going as hoped, those talks with their former midfielder picked up pace once again a fortnight ago.
The idea to stick with their man in the summer was in part down to a desire to maintain continuity within the club after too much change since David Moyes' departure. Some figures argued continuity was not what was needed following a relegation. Nuno has never chimed with the fans, too hesitant to grasp rare games last season which were going in their favour.
Dressing Room Bust-Ups and Training Ground Issues
Many in the dressing room never truly warmed to him either. There have been bust ups with players, including Alphonse Areola, Edson Álvarez and Soungoutou Magassa. Magassa and Alvarez, signed for a combined £51m, have not played a minute in the Championship between them this season.
Nuno's persistence with Mads Hermansen too has caused frustrations while his ostracising of James Ward-Prowse before his loan move to Burnley last season did not sit well with many. Ward-Prowse gleefully celebrated victory on his return with Southampton in what would become Nuno's penultimate game in charge of the club.
The Early Warning Signs from Day One
Relegation was not a forgone conclusion when Nuno arrived last season. The Portuguese started with a creditable draw away to Everton and a defeat to eventual Premier League champions Arsenal, nothing too much to grumble about. But alarm bells rang, in the stands and boardroom, after concerning defeats to Brentford and Leeds. The shape and selection were a mess, the lack of ambition evident.
Concerns soon emerged from the club's Rush Green training base that sessions were lacklustre and there was little understanding as to what was required by many players, including some senior figures. That became evident in one too many a game, despite periods late on in the campaign when it appeared West Ham might just pull off their survival.
Recruitment Failures and What Comes Next
It was not all down to Nuno, recruitment has been a persistent problem at West Ham for nearly three years, though the Portuguese had a say in January and relied too often on duds such as Pablo Felipe. Many will have wanted this day to come far sooner, all will now be hoping Parker's promotion pedigree can save the Hammers from yet another embarrassment.
