West Ham figures ‘demoralised’ by what Nuno Espirito Santo has done amid ‘shocking’ development
Nuno Espirito Santo appears to have lost all signs of support as West Ham continue to slip down the Premier League standings this season.
The former Wolves boss has barely made an impact in East London, winning just two of his 16 games in charge, and most recently, overseeing West Ham’s defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, 6 January.
West Ham are prepared to sack Nuno, Football Insider understands, with several names emerging as a potential replacement, such as Michael Carrick, following his summer exit from Middlesbrough.
It is all becoming very toxic at the London Stadium, amongst the supporters, and now clearly, amongst those behind the scenes, too, with pressure building on the hierarchy to make another change.
David Sullivan and Karren Brady have put themselves in a rather precarious position.
Nuno Espirito Santo infuriates West Ham figures behind the scenes
According to The Guardian (9 January), figures within the club were “dismayed” after watching Nuno embrace Forest players at the full-time whistle, having just lost in controversial circumstances.
Crysencio Summerville’s goal was wrongly disallowed, leading to yet another defeat in East London, but the manager was seen smiling with his former players after leaving the City Ground in September.
While it is accepted that Nuno was liked by the majority of his former players, it was also felt that he should have waited to greet them until he was down the tunnel, out of sight.
Those behind the scenes, including staff and players, are becoming “increasingly demoralised” by recent events, with some sources believing that Nuno should have been fired after the “shocking” Wolves result.
Who else has been linked with the West Ham job?
Carrick appears to be the favourite to replace Nuno, but multiple other big names have emerged in East London as pressure continues to come down on the current manager in the dugout.
Man United parted ways with Ruben Amorim, so the Portuguese figure has emerged as a potential candidate, while many like the idea of Slaven Bilic returning to the London Stadium.
Enzo Maresca and Frank Lampard are also included in the list of candidates, at least according to the bookmakers, but very little appears to be changing for the Hammers right now.
Supporters are beginning to regret their decision to drive David Moyes out of the club, having lifted a European trophy before making the switch to Everton, where he is now a much-loved figure.
Sullivan is often criticised by the fanbase, but getting Nuno into the dugout might be one of the worst in recent history, as the Hammers move closer to Premier League relegation.