Nuno Makes Creating West Ham Identity His Number One Priority
The new West Ham manager feels it will require patience to establish a clear philosophy at West Ham United. The former Nottingham Forest manager, who is getting accustomed to his new position, wants to connect with the club’s culture on an personal level.
Learning the Team Identity
Brought in after the sudden exit of his predecessor, Nuno mentioned that experienced club employees have been educating him about life at West Ham. Upon questioning about his view of the team’s historic philosophy, he beamed and acknowledged that it is interpreted differently—some see it as all-out offense, while others value passion and resilience.
“It’s exactly what I’m trying to understand every day,” he explained. “It’s more than knowing—we have to feel it. I need time to internalize it. Once we feel it, we need to embody it fully.”
He emphasized that passion is what counts, instead of mental comprehension. Regarding style and culture, Nuno stated they are a long way off from achieving it. “Simply saying the ‘West Ham way’—we have to develop it, let’s live it.”
Early Days and Upcoming Tests
The new manager’s start began with an encouraging share of the points on the road. Questioned about the distance he is to establishing a clear style, he replied, “I think quite distant. It’s a tough task and demands total commitment at the club. But it’s a priority.”
Frequently, there is a demand from the fanbase for entertaining style. The former manager, the most successful modern-era coach, later encountered criticism due to his defensive mindset. Later coaches also struggled changing the on-field approach in the years following his exit.
On-Field Approach and Player Roles
Now, it falls to Nuno to choose whether results are more important than exciting play. West Ham have let in a high number of goals in the initial six fixtures and are languishing in a low position.
“What influences the team’s approach is not just the manager,” Nuno stated. “The team itself that determines our approach. We must find a balance between offense and defense. It’s not possible to going forward without structure, since that creates opportunities for rival teams. We have to maintain defensive shape, while also keeping in mind our plan after winning possession.”
Squad Updates
West Ham might have available key defenders ahead of the next fixture at Arsenal. Furthermore, Nuno left the door open a comeback chance for an experienced midfielder who was left out in the previous game. The player had a brief stint under the manager earlier, however his loan spell was ended early.
