After the third defeat of the season at the London stadium, there has been inevitable speculation that Nuno’s job is under threat. Supporters favourite would be Eddie Howe, yet it’s unlikely that the former Newcastle United manager would be interested in the job.
However there is a a former West Ham player reportedly interested in becoming the club’s next head coach should the Hammers decide to part ways with Nuno Espírito Santo in the near future. And it’s not Scott Parker!
Increasing pressure after three home defeats – and six goals conceded in eight days
Current Wales manager Craig Bellamy has privately indicated that he would welcome the opportunity to manage West Ham if the position became available. Bellamy’s former team-mate James Collins recently endorsed the idea during an appearance on TalkSport.
“Obviously he loves the club and loved his time at West Ham when I was there,” Collins said.
Bellamy has implemented an attractive brand of football with Wales, built around possession, high intensity and an aggressive pressing style. Yet, since taking on the job in 2024, results have been mixed with a 37.5% win ratio during that time. This has not stopped speculation over whether he could one day return to east London in a managerial capacity.
Following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, Nuno Espírito Santo acknowledged the scrutiny surrounding his position.
“I am always under pressure, every day,” he said.
Supporters at the London Stadium made their feelings known after the final whistle, with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” directed at the Portuguese Head Coach.
Yet despite the clubs current position in eighth place, Nuno Espírito Santo is expected to be given more time. Daniel Kretinsky continues to support the Portuguese coach, although both parties understand the pressure that comes with football management.
For now, Bellamy’s interest appears to be one for the future rather than the present. Nuno still retains the backing of the club’s hierarchy, but football can change quickly and results will ultimately determine his fate.
Should a managerial vacancy arise down the line, Bellamy’s connection to West Ham and his exciting coaching philosophy could make him a name worth watching.
Thoughts?
Nuno had all bar half-a-dozen games to keep us up last season and couldn’t manage successfully in the top flight. He’s had roughly a dozen matches this season to prove he can’t do it in the Championship at West Ham (we are already behind 7 other teams on points, and are a clear 2 wins off the top). No we won’t be relegated, but we look hoplessly off the pace, especially in the first half of each game.
We probably cannot afford to pay him off by sacking him right now, but if he is going then the earlier we bring in a replacement the more time the club will have to recover, and the more time any new manager has to prepare target lists for the January window. Scott Parker has a proven track record of promotions from Championship to Premier League (is it 3 or 4 times now that he’s proven this?). Frankly if we are going to go with a manager unproven at this level then I’d rather see Mark Noble given a go. At the very least he’d be passionate about driving the team forward and I bet he’d bite a few of those prima donna backsides which need that treatment currently.
I would rather have David Bellamy than the idiot we’ve got now
How is it the likes of Brighton can go and find managers who improve them and yet for us it seems nigh on impossible?
Don’t matter who the manager is. Always gona ship goals in with this keeper, utter rubbish
Shipping 3 goals at home to 2 of our likely promotion rivals shows something is seriously wrong.Terrible individual mistakes and there seems to be no solution.What does he see in training sessions? because it obviously does not transfer to the pitch.Give Orford a chance move Mukasa further up and either Alvarez or Magassa protecting that fragile back line.Its not rocket science Nuno.
Bellamy? Really? West Ham fans whinge about the owners lacking ambition but you get what you deserve and what I’ve realised as I get older is the lack of ambition West Ham fans have.
Bellamy being interested is good news.
Compensation both for Nuno and Wales may be a problem.
Will he be backed in January transfer period (striker plus Disasi if available).
I like Bellamy, but anyone other than Nuno. As a reserve goalie he hasn’t got a clue as to how to organise and coach a defence. At least with bellamy, we’d get attack, attack, attack.
No thanks.
Yep, the completely untested and inexperienced Craig Bellamy is the answer to all of our prayers, let’s give him the task of getting us promoted and then secure as an established Premier League team. What an excellent idea. Based on what, sorry? Him handing in a transfer request whilst being at the club seems to have made him some sort of West Ham legend, in the eyes of some ‘supporters’. What a load of utter nonsense a lot of our ‘so-called fans’ speak
Bellamy never handed in a transfer request. The slippery two bob lawyer, Duxbury, who masqueraded as our CEO, forced the sale of Bellamy and then proclaimed he wanted to leave.
That infuriated Bellamy as he loved his time at West Ham and he didn’t want to leave.
I think your “Nuno fan club” is decreasing every week, much to your disgust I’d imagine.
Thoughts ? It beats me I think Matt. We’re playing at a very different level now and still losing. We can’t seriously be shipping three goals at home in the Championship but we are.
Bellamy could hardly do any worse could he.
I like Bellamy as a player, am not convinced by him as a manager, I think he lacks tactically and like Nuno is a one trick pony.
We need to get the appointment right, we need a manager with the fire of Bellamy, the tactical mind of Moyes and the Style of an Iraola or a Howe.
I was hoping we would move for Howe or do provided he is not snapped up by Man Utd.