By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Paco Jémez, remember him?
It seems like a long time ago that we were last discussing Nuno Espírito Santo’s right-hand man, who left the club last month after arriving in January.
Paco was one of the many reasons West Ham enjoyed something of an upturn in form during the second half of the season and very quickly became a fan favourite.
But as he departed at the end of the campaign, he seemed to wave goodbye to the club before teasing a possible return.
ExWHUEmployee Provides Update
Now Hammers ITK ExWHUEmployee has updated his patrons by claiming Jémez will return to the club, even though nothing has yet been officially confirmed.
If true, it’s good news all round.
Paco’s influence was evident during West Ham’s improved run of form and his departure always felt more like a “see you later” than a final goodbye.
More Experience Needed
Personally, I hope Nuno does even more than simply retain Paco in his coaching staff.
I’d like to see him bring more experience and fresh specialists into the backroom team rather than relying too heavily on academy staff.
After all, if the aim is immediate promotion back to the Premier League, it makes sense to surround himself with as much expertise as possible.
A Popular Figure
Few coaches have managed to win over West Ham supporters quite so quickly although Stuart Pearce booting the ball into the crowd was a contender.
Jémez’s passion and personality made him a popular figure around the club and there is little doubt many fans would be delighted to see him back at Rush Green.
Hopefully, confirmation won’t be too far away.
I hope so he did more for WHU in his few games than Potter Lopetigui and Nuno before his arrival
When NES was appointed I thought it was a bad mistake him coming in with none of his people. Being the one voice of change surrounded by people already in the club is hardly a serious attempt at transformation. I took it to be a Sullivan attempt to minimise cost.
Totally agree with you it’s a priority to get a team in that builds the new culture. From the board down the club needs to find a new professionalism and people that know how to do their jobs.
Now that we have secured Keiber Lamadrid on a permanent contract, we must make sure that he and others get the support and coaching to make them into proper players.
Gloves off coaching and away with the cotton wool when it comes to representing West Ham United on the pitch. Make the most of everyone’s talent and forge a formidable team to take the Championship by storm.
Hiring Kevin Nolan would be a great start to our backroom rebuild.
Maybe bring in a coach with experience of the Championship?
Good article this our coaching really needs addressing.. I would like to see someone like Paco pick and run a totally new coaching staff from top to bottom …in my opinion our academy up to the u23’s need firmer coaching we need to be turning out 20 yr young MEN like Fernandez & Diouf. Then by having our own coaches (run by the likes of Paco to managerial orders ) then when there are managerial changes it only involves new manager & assistant…We have to remember there is no room for a family run club in football today …..
You do imagine that someone like Paco who was a Spanish international, would bring a level of professionalism and demanding standards that might help academy players reach another, higher level.
Surely, plenty of qualities but not honed and they looked and behaved like players who were out of their depth. To me they really behaved as if not ready to be there and then a natural lack of confidence happens, which aggravates it all.
Repeating myself, but academy players who join the 1st team still need individual training in addition to 1st team practice. Concerned that the potential that surely is there, will not emerge otherwise.