By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo must have been enjoying something of a hiatus from the pressure cauldron surrounding his job over recent days.
After all, Nuno got a much-needed 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, which deflected criticism, and that was followed by a lot of talk over the comings and goings of the transfer window.
So what had been an intense beginning to the week, with Nuno’s West Ham future in doubt, probably finished with him being able to focus on training and the match against Derby County while the pressure was elsewhere.
And boy, was it elsewhere.
West Ham Pressure Dialled Up To Eleven
That particular pressure dial was dialled up to eleven as Hammers fans dealt with the fallout of Daniel Křetínský seeing off Amanda Staveley’s bid for ownership of the football club, whilst at the same time David Sullivan increased his shareholding.
So when Nuno popped up for his pre-match press conference, I almost thought to myself, “Oh God, I’d forgotten about him and the football match.”
But that’s where we are.
And in many respects West Ham’s under-pressure owners need Nuno more than ever, because there’s only one thing guaranteed to take some of the pressure off boardroom antics, and that is winning football matches.
Nuno can take the heat off Kretinsky
Now Křetínský Needs Nuno
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sure any number of points, goals, dribbles and tackles can take away from the misery many West Ham fans will feel at having to endure even more of David Sullivan.
C&H has been assured that Sullivan will have no operational role and will not return to the West Ham board, but seeing his shareholding increase to around 40% was hardly the fresh start many supporters had hoped for.
What will certainly be beneficial to the football club is if the column inches start being filled with talk of points on the Championship board and new signings performing above expectation.
That makes Saturday’s game against Derby County even more important.
A second consecutive Championship victory would suddenly give supporters something positive to talk about and allow Nuno to build on what was an excellent result against Wolves.
Quite a shift for a manager who would have been concerned that his time was up at West Ham only a week ago.
Rather than Nuno now looking to the board of directors to save his job, we may well find that Křetínský and Co are looking to Nuno to save their bacon.
Sullivan had tpo take up his alloted amount or she would have bought them so im more convinced its to allow kretsky to be magority .instead of sullivan issue he may have more but then he going flog more to her if she wants pay his price.so no change just bad journalism as usual
This drama isn’t over yet….Amanda Stavely hasn’t conceeded, her 1st bid was a lowball as you’d expect……
When Staveley buys Sullivan’s shares … This will run longer than The Mouse Trap. Popcorn anyone?
I dont think she will buy the Sullivan shares as if she attempts to then it still goes through the pre-emptive rights process again giving Kretinsky the opportunity to intervene.
Gonzo I have never liked the classless Sullivan who sent Brady to fire Zola, who fired Avram Grant in the tunnel at Wigan etc etc
However when Staveley tried to buy the Gold shares that Kretinsky thought were his there was no way that Kretinsky could work with Staveley who is trying to take over the club
Not sure if the owners care too much what the fans think. However I assume that they do care about what further seasons in the championship would do to our finances including ticket sales. It’ll be the pain in their wallets that will ultimately be their greatest motivation.