Such has been the speed of change at West Ham United that the back room departures have created something of a void: Graham Potter departed along with his whole coaching team of Narcis Pelach plus fellow coaches Bruno Saltor, Billy Reid, Casper Ankergren and Linus Kandolin.
Which meant that for the Everton fixture, Nuno Espirito Santo was assisted by the whole of West Ham’s youth coaching team. Which didn’t work out so badly.
As the standard.co.uk reports today:
“Nuno worked alongside Mark Robson, Gerard Prenderville, Billy Lepine and Steve Potts in the dugout during the 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday night. The four West Ham academy coaches stepped in to assist the Portuguese in his first game in charge”
The same report also confirms that rather than having a full team of coaches ready to drop-in to West Ham, Espírito Santo will come to rely on the Hammers’ youth team coaches for a while longer yet:
“Nuno Espirito Santo expects to have his backroom staff in place before the end of the October international break. However, while negotiations are ongoing, there are unlikely to be any appointments made before Saturday’s game away to Arsenal.”
West Ham academy coaches will stick around a while longer
Most coaches have a cohort of assistants ready to slot straight in. The speed of Potter’s departure and Nuno’s appointment leaves something of a coaching vacuum.
Which offers the surprise possibility of the Hammers youth team coaches remaining in post for the next few weeks. Many of Nuno’s ‘favourite’ assistants and coaches are already in employment with other clubs and unlikely to jump ship.
Of course the extra benefit to the club and to Nuno is that these same coaching staff know the youth team talent inside out: If ever Callum Marshall, Freddie Potts and Ollie Scarles ( sadly George Earthy is out injured) were going to get their opportunities, you’d think it will be whilst their own coaches are working with the seniors.
I’m being reeled back in….again!!
I can’t remember when I last looked forward to a Saturday. COYI⚒️⚒️⚒️
Nuno is a clever man working with the youth team coaches such as Robson and Potts and learning the West Ham dna. They will be telling him what the West Ham fans appreciate which is hard work and getting stuck in. I expect to see a much more committed and aggressive team in future.
Good that he has a strong West Ham connection with him and they know the club and the youngsters.