The complex relationship at West Ham United’s recruitment core looks set to continue through the summer: The interminable triangle of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, his close fried and associate, ‘super agent’ Jorge Mendes and West Ham’s own Director of recruitment Nils Koppen looks an unlikely collaborative trio to work in harmony together.
However, with Mendes having access to some of the best talent available, few would begrudge his input if he can pull off similar results for Nuno as the Portuguese manager achieved when building his Championship winning Wolves side back in 2017-18.
Former Wolves defender now linked with West Ham
The Mendes-Nuno connection helped bring key players to Molineux, including Rúben Neves, Diogo Jota and Pedro Neto – amongst others.
According to the72.co.uk , the links with young centre back Bastien Meyipou – the latest defender linked with an east London move – need to be taken seriously:
“West Ham are in need of defensive reinforcements for the upcoming Championship campaign and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo could push the club to move for Bastien Meupiyou. The Athletic reports that the Alverca defender is admired by the Portuguese boss, who has a big hole to fill following the departure of Axel Disasi.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has previously spent time at second-tier rivals Wolves, but never made an appearance for the club, making the move to Portugal last summer. “
And then the kicker: “WHUFC could have an advantage in any potential transfer race for the player, with Nuno holding the same agent as the defender in Jorge Mendes.”
Head of recruitment Koppen may hold the job title, but Nuno’s links to Mendes run deep and you’d not bet against this being proven time and again this summer as West Ham seek talent to rebuild.
It sounds like the West Ham gig could be a tricky assignment for Koppen: Meyipou landing at West Ham would just be further confirmation of who’s really calling the shots. Probably.
Further proof that Nuno needs to be sacked now. You can’t have the club run by a Super Agent with an incompetent manager as his stooge
The coach having an agent who their employer buys players through is such a massive conflict of interest I’m genuinely baffled that its not spoke about more.
Whats the incentive for coaching well ( win bonuses etc.) when they can probably get stacks more in a little kick backs from their agent’s players signing on fees. The coach can directly influence the purchase, and push the transfer price and wages up to benefit their agent. Honestly dont know how its allowed.
Hope this isn’t going to turn into another moyes vs Stiedent or Nuno vs edu?
Same old west ham. Nothing really changes.. buy or loan players from prefered agents seriouly limits the talent pool.
The only club in the land that works this way.
Only the agent benefits.
Having a recruitment director keeps Mendes honest. Without it’d be easy for him to present a world class clown totally unchecked. Whatever Mendez puts up needs to be good at the right price or it’ll be seen a mile off. Is how I see it. Managers/coaches come and go but we’ll be ready with a framework is my hope for when the next change happens.