Much has been made about West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo not bringing in his own backroom staff since joining the club. The focus has largely centred on the lack of an assistant manager, but a post from C&H reader Phil Baker really got me thinking that the problem runs much deeper than that.
West Ham have a severe lack of specialist coaches, which is contributing to the club’s poor form. When you look at other clubs across the Premier League, it becomes clear just how far behind we really are.
Phil posted:
“All Premier League clubs have either a manager or head coach supported by many staff and specialty coaches, except of course West Ham, and it shows. Often it’s the nuanced details that result in success or failure, and the Forest loss highlights the issue. West Ham generally played well with heart and soul but no guile. Until West Ham hire the specialty coaches that Nuno needs, they’ll keep failing – and the same is true for any other coach that West Ham hire, as proven over the last two years.”
A Club Falling Behind the Modern Game
I think he’s absolutely spot on. Most other clubs employ defensive coaches, striker specialists, set-piece coaches and, yes, even dedicated throw-in coaches.
It’s indicative of wider issues throughout the club, highlighted earlier this season when Brentford arrived at the London Stadium and required additional seating just for their staff and analysts.
It might not seem like the biggest deal in the world, but when other clubs are obsessing over marginal gains, West Ham are being left well behind.
Cheers, Phil.
could not agree more. I thought perhaps NES was too autocratic and only listened to his own advice, but it is not the case then. Perfect opportunity to add some quality footballing brains to the managerial setup, in addition to Robson & Potts. On his own without Irving David Moyes seemed to falter too.
Gonzo, this article is screaming out this is the board and Sulivans fault. These are facts no more no less and it points the finger directly at you Mr Sulivan.
Yes completely correct. Fundamentally though Nuno is made weaker by not having his own team. When a club is in a mess one man banging away at change surrounded by existing club staff will be so much harder.
To get a grip and stop being the odd one out he needs his team. Most managers, like Moyes recently, have a group that are totally on the same wavelength as them. The team add a lot themselves and that’s what we needed new ideas people and impetus.
Instead we got one man and all the West Ham people with natural resistance to change.
Spot on. For other clubs like the Arsenal, Man City, etc it was always about the 1% gains but now clubs like the Brightons, Brentford, Villa etc employ the same model of backroom staff.
I suspect this is driven by good DoF’s but hard to know. I thought Brentford would be nailed on for relegation when they appointed Keith Andrews but what do I know.
I do however know West Ham/Sully would never in a million years make that type of appointment and that’s the crux of matter so we remain constantly stuck in the dark ages and when we do try to evolve we rip up the game plan and revert to type when it doesn’t work out at the first go.
Very little will change until Sully steps back or shuffles off this earth.
We have had lots of good coaches, set plays we had Nevin who left for a role with England I think, we had Maresca at one point too. We seem to haemorrhage them, Moyes and Pearce, Nolan, Nevin etc
Our academy has also lost its best coaches to Liverpool and City I think.
Agree with the sentiment if we had a Nolan as a coach or a Pearce you think there would have been some leadership that might have made a difference.
Nuno cuts a solitary figure on the touchline. No confidantes to offer help or suggestions. Leaving him to put his arms around the whole squad individually at all times. It can’t be done.
Most coaching during a game is just to keep players awake and aware of what they have been practicing day in and day out. Without that daily intimate coaching and understanding, the team is unsupported and unsure of aims and direction.
Nuno on his own will continue to fight a losing battle. Middle management is vital. If this continues, there will be more stories of little or no communication between Nuno and the players. The headlines will tell of losing the dressing room.
We must have a team to communicate and deliver the West Ham Way. At the moment that is the Nuno Way. We need this to happen very quickly if we are to change the current course of our destiny.
COYI
Sullivan – old, out of date, unprofessional. A dinosaur. Yet another example.
Maybe Mark Robson and Steve Potts were youth coaches (very good ones at that) for a reason?
Doesn’t matter how many coaches you’ve got if the players are incapable of improving.
I think this is a good spot, but, Let’s not forget how thrilled we were that our own stalwarts were given the chance to step up into those coaching roles. Also, as for specialist roles, we do have history – striker coach Teddy Sherringham?
Declan Rice is one of the best set-piece takers in the world, yet we never even realised that whilst he was here. It’s because we don’t go into those levels of detail.
Ultimately, the club’s hierarchy are disinterested. They’re only bothered about their own status and wealth.
As they have no interest in the club showing any ounce of genuine ambition, it’s pretty much reflected in every aspect of the club both on and off the pitch. Football-wise and business-wise.
They don’t care. It’s that simple.
Good article , if it offers a marginal improvement it’s good right ? It’s still an improvement something to look at .