Nuno Espirito Santo Appointed as West Ham Manager
West Ham United, currently positioned 19th in the Premier League, has appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as the successor to Graham Potter.
Nuno, who has previously managed Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, has demonstrated a consistent ability to elevate teams beyond expectations, despite a less successful stint at Tottenham Hotspur. The current situation at West Ham bears resemblance to the challenges he faced at Forest.
As Nuno prepares for his debut match against Everton on Monday, BBC Sport reviews his last season at Forest to evaluate whether he is a suitable choice for West Ham.
Pragmatism vs. Attacking Play
In modern football, club owners are increasingly favoring coaches who implement possession-based, attacking styles. Despite David Moyes leading West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League in 2023, his pragmatic approach has often drawn criticism from fans who favor a more expansive style of play.
However, Moyes' predecessors, including Manuel Pellegrini and Julen Lopetegui, struggled to build a successful team with a more dominant playing style. Nuno's coaching principles align more closely with Moyes, who has been West Ham's most successful manager in recent years.
Nuno's teams typically maintain lower possession rates, opting for quick counter-attacks. Last season, Nottingham Forest recorded the third-lowest average possession in the league at 41%. By adopting a deep defensive setup, Nuno's teams limit opponents to low-quality chances.
Nuno's Style of Play
At Wolves, Nuno was known for employing a five-at-the-back system, while at Forest, he primarily utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation. Defensively, Forest often shifted to a 4-2-4 shape when pressing high but frequently adopted a low defensive block close to their goal.
When leading, Nuno would introduce Brazilian defender Morato and revert to a back five, showcasing his tactical flexibility. Remarkably, Forest did not lose any points in matches when Morato was brought on in this manner, although it often led to increased defensive pressure.
Direct attacking plays are a hallmark of Nuno's strategy, with Forest frequently progressing through the center via striker Chris Wood, whose hold-up play allowed attacking midfielders like Morgan Gibbs-White to capitalize on second balls. Alternatively, Forest often attacked down the flanks, avoiding central progression to minimize risk.
Last season, Forest was the league's most direct team, advancing the ball at an impressive speed of 2.04 meters per second.
Potential Setup for West Ham
Given this context, Nuno's appointment seems strategically sound. His low-possession, counter-attacking philosophy could mitigate West Ham's weaknesses while maximizing the strengths of their current squad.
The Hammers have struggled to build from the back and create dangerous chances through prolonged possession. They have looked most effective in transition, leveraging the speed of players like Jarrod Bowen.
Nuno's Forest excelled at quick breaks, utilizing the pace of their forwards, which would benefit West Ham's Crysencio Summerville, Lucas Paquetá, and Bowen.
If Nuno prioritizes defensive stability, he may initially implement a five-at-the-back formation, although a 4-2-3-1 setup is also likely. His flexibility in player roles based on their attributes is a notable aspect of his approach.
For instance, he has adapted the roles of wingers to suit their skillsets, as seen with Elliot Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez in a previous match against Fulham. Nuno will aim to maximize the potential of his best players, including the attacking full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, while ensuring defensive solidity elsewhere on the pitch.
Players like Niclas Füllkrug, Summerville, Soungoutou Magassa, Mateus Fernandes, Paquetá, and Max Kilman fit well into Nuno's transition-heavy style. His tactical adaptability was evident last season when Forest defeated Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals by employing five midfielders to control central areas.
A Fresh Start
Optimizing player performance based on their strengths is crucial, and tactics play a significant role in this. Reports of Graham Potter's conflicts with players suggest a deteriorating club environment, while Nuno is remembered fondly by former players, such as Conor Coady from Wolves.
Coady remarked, "West Ham have got an unbelievable manager, and I think they will love him. He knows how to work with players and improve them. A change in voice will be beneficial. Nuno is a steady presence who keeps a balanced perspective. West Ham is a counter-attacking team, and they will thrive under his guidance."
Nuno's approach aligns well with West Ham's current squad, and his interpersonal skills may prove vital in steering the Hammers away from their current predicament.