Daniel Křetínský has demonstrated that there is a limit to how far he is prepared to gamble his reputation at West Ham United on Nuno Espírito Santo. Having backed the Portuguese coach during the summer, the Czech billionaire has now seen the club abandon that decision following a disappointing start to the Championship campaign.
It represents a significant change of direction for West Ham, particularly given the circumstances surrounding Nuno’s retention after relegation. David Sullivan had reportedly favoured a managerial change, but Křetínský supported the idea of continuity and giving the existing head coach an opportunity to lead the promotion campaign.
At the time, I could understand the argument, even if I wasn’t convinced by it. But following consecutive home defeats against Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, West Ham’s board has now decided that the situation cannot continue.
Křetínský’s West Ham Gamble Had Become Increasingly Risky
There was always an element of risk attached to retaining Nuno following relegation.
He had failed to keep West Ham in the Premier League, but the argument for keeping him was that he knew the squad, understood the club and could provide the stability needed for an immediate return.
Unfortunately, that stability never really materialised.
West Ham have spent much of the Championship campaign struggling to establish a recognisable playing style, with the manager regularly changing formations and personnel.
And despite the considerable talent available to him, Nuno appeared increasingly unable to get the best out of his players.
The 3-1 defeat against West Bromwich Albion was particularly damaging because it exposed so many of the problems supporters had been highlighting for months.
The team looked disorganised, short of confidence and heavily reliant on Jarrod Bowen to produce something out of nothing.
It was hardly the performance of a side looking capable of securing automatic promotion.
Kretinsky was not prepared to back Espirito Santo any longer
West Ham’s Financial Gamble Was Even Bigger
The decision to retain Nuno was never simply about the manager.
West Ham had already committed themselves to a huge financial gamble following relegation, selling a substantial amount of their most valuable talent while attempting to rebuild a squad capable of returning to the Premier League.
There was an understandable desire to reduce costs, but also an expectation that the club would use its remaining resources wisely.
And that is where Nuno’s continued struggles became particularly worrying.
Having sold so much of the family silver during the summer, West Ham cannot simply assume they will get another opportunity to flex their financial muscle in the Championship.
A second season outside the Premier League could present an entirely different challenge.
The club needs good coaching, sensible recruitment and a clear tactical identity.
As Nils Koppen’s plans for a recognisable West Ham footballing identity demonstrated, there is already an ambition to establish something more sustainable.
But that was becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile with the football being produced under Nuno.
Křetínský Has Shown He Can Change His Mind
What I found particularly interesting when researching Křetínský’s history at Sparta Prague was his willingness to change managers when a club’s objectives appeared to be under threat.
At Sparta, those objectives generally involved winning titles or securing Champions League football.
At West Ham, the immediate equivalent is automatic promotion.
I had previously assumed that because Křetínský backed Nuno during the summer, he would be reluctant to abandon that decision.
His Sparta record made me reconsider that assumption.
And now the West Ham board has acted.
Of course, we should distinguish the board’s collective decision from any suggestion that Křetínský personally ordered Nuno’s dismissal. The club has not publicly established who drove the final decision.
Nevertheless, the outcome is clear. The manager Křetínský reportedly wanted to retain is no longer in charge.
Now West Ham Must Get The Next Appointment Right
Křetínský’s reputation will not ultimately be judged on whether he supported Nuno for a few months too long.
It will be judged on whether West Ham can get back into the Premier League.
And having taken the decision to change managers, the board now has to ensure the next appointment gives the club the best possible opportunity to achieve that objective.
There is still plenty of talent in this squad, and I remain convinced a better-organised team could produce considerably more convincing performances.
But time is already slipping away.
West Ham have made their decision. Now they need to make sure it was worth making.