Some of the decisions made by West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo have been so bizarre that some Hammers fans have started to wonder — is he trying to get himself sacked?
The theory goes that Nuno walked into Rush Green, took one look at the squad, and realised he couldn’t work miracles. But rather than walking away, some believe he’s deliberately sabotaging his own team to force a lucrative payout.
There’s no denying Espirito Santo has picked some peculiar line-ups in recent matches, featuring inverted wing-backs, a dysfunctional midfield, and more players out of position than in it.
Nuno has reshuffled his West Ham team a little too much
The Truth Behind the Rumours
However, when Claret & Hugh spoke to a well-placed insider with strong knowledge of West Ham’s inner workings, the speculation was quickly shut down.
“No, of course he’s not trying to lose games,” our source insisted.
They went on: “Nuno has a group of players with no pace, and there’s no striker. The recruitment has been diabolical for years. He’s just struggling with a poor squad that doesn’t suit his style. He was probably the wrong appointment — again! Anyway, if he’s sacked this season, he won’t get a payoff. The compensation only begins from next season.”
That revelation means West Ham could dismiss their manager without paying compensation — a detail that’s both surprising and, frankly, staggering.
So, rather than any grand conspiracy that Nuno is sabotaging his own team, the reality appears to be that he’s simply trying to make sense of an unbalanced, slow, and ill-fitting squad. . . and doing a poor job.
While the news doesn’t reflect particularly well on the head coach, it stands as yet another damning indictment of how West Ham has been run.
Nuno has been a completely adequate and capable football manager at the levels he’s previously worked at including his very last job that propelled an unlikely squad to a very high finish. He managed the same at Wolves, getting them qualified to European competition.
Anyone believing that he is the problem after just 3 weeks needs to wake up.
What I don’t understand is that the Everton performance was not bad, we didn’t just draw the game we drew the stats too so it was a deserved draw. Why not just run with similar to that again, if that performance had been repeated against Brentford and Leeds there most likely would have been points gained.
I don’t understand why things were shaken up against Brentford, and given what was tried failed so conclusively I do not understand why things were shaken up again against Leeds. It’s almost as if the Everton performance did not exist. It’s very bizarre no doubt.
That is staggering Gonzo, it was obvious when he was hired this squad wasn’t right, he does have more pace in the team and better athleticism than last season, he has good wing backs and I think there is a good midfield there all be it not quite clicking yet. His first choice keepers, cb’s and striker are a problem, if he gets a decent right centre back, plays Fabianski and gets a striker that has pace and is a threat we might get away with it, just can’t see it though. I can’t see that team getting with Nuno in charge getting another point before the window opens let alone 3 they are low on confidence and need positivity which is not in Nuno’s current set up. Bowen also isn’t generally that positive and he is the Captain.
I think we should get shot now before it’s too late, it was a mistake to get him in with that team which is a transformation only partly completed. Stick with the original transformation to get young players with pace, athleticism and potential and get a manager that trains his teams to press higher up the field.
A bit of aggression and passion from the team will get the fans on side, it requires organisation and a plan just saying it won’t make it happen, Nuno is a Nono if someone is available or that can come in with a clear plan and philosophy and that won’t give them weird confusing formations to play then get them in fast. It’s time to break the emergency glass and do something different if we go down let’s go down fighting and with some momentum to come straight back up again.
I assume your well placed insider source is not actually anything to do with decision making at the club in any way shape or form, certainly they have nothing to do with transfers or I have a feeling they wouldn’t be quite so derisive.
you could have fooled me I thought he was have a brain mallfunkshion what a joke how he has set the team up
I can sooooo see BS sacking him last game of the season to avoid paying him anything…
The only slight issue with this concept is that every single person except nuno knows the team he’s picked in last couple of games is worse than useless, imagine thinking soucek and Irving is the solution to anything
He’s making a point to the board , simple !
Not sure why you are criticising the Board on this occasion? Surely the best decision given the circumstances. I would love to see your article if he does an “Ange” and is seen smiling all the way to the bank!
Well Gonzo I think it’s a great deal. I would suggest the same was true at Nottingham Forest. My question still is, 3 managers all playing the same slow midfielders. Are we sure these players contacts don’t have a minimum number of game’s they must play wrttern into it?