West Ham replaced Graham Potter with Nuno Espirito Santo as the Premier League club struggles in 19th place. Nuno previously managed Wolves and Nottingham Forest, consistently improving squads beyond expectations. Despite his underwhelming Tottenham stint, West Ham’s current situation mirrors the challenges he faced at Forest. BBC Sport previews his last season at Forest to gauge whether he can revive West Ham before his first game at Everton on Monday.
Pragmatism Over Possession
Modern club owners often prefer coaches who prioritize possession and attacking football. David Moyes brought West Ham a Europa Conference League title in 2023, but fans criticized his pragmatic style. Previous managers Pellegrini, Lopetegui, and Potter also failed to implement expansive, ball-dominant tactics successfully. Nuno’s philosophy aligns more with Moyes, focusing on low possession and fast counter-attacks. Last season, Forest averaged only 41% possession, the third lowest in the league. By defending deep, his teams limit opponents’ space and reduce high-quality chances. West Ham’s appointment signals a recognition that previous attacking styles did not suit their current squad.
Nuno’s Tactical Approach
At Wolves, Nuno used a five-at-the-back system, but Forest mostly started games in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Out of possession, Forest shifted into a 4-2-4 when pressing, but often held a low defensive line near their goal. When leading, Nuno added defender Morato to form a back five, maintaining defensive solidity. Forest never dropped points after bringing Morato on, although the team sat deeper late in games, conceding 12 goals in the final 15 minutes last season. Offensively, Nuno favors direct attacks. Forest progressed the ball centrally to striker Chris Wood, using his hold-up play for midfielders like Morgan Gibbs-White. They also attacked quickly down the flanks, leaving the middle open. Forest played the most direct football in the league, advancing the ball at 2.04 metres per second. Nuno emphasizes speed and early ball progression to stretch opponents.
