Nuno Espirito Santo avoids doing ‘one of the worst things in football’ for Everton vs West Ham – ‘Ridiculous’
Nuno Espirito Santo is back in management with West Ham United.
Nuno was sacked by Nottingham Forest at the end of August following a disagreement with owner Evangelos Marinakis, with many critics voicing their disapproval of the decision.
West Ham sacked Graham Potter on Saturday after just eight months in charge, with the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last time out being the final straw for the Hammers hierarchy.
West Ham travel to Everton on Monday night, looking for a vital win to drag them closer to safety, and Nuno is set to do what many managers in the past have not at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo given credit for taking charge of first game
Nuno will be in the dugout for West Ham‘s match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium tonight.
In the past, managers appointed during a match weekend would usually sit in the stands for their first game in charge, citing that they had not had enough time to work with their players as of yet.
Nuno took his first training session on Saturday after signing his new contract following Potter’s dismissal, with a caretaker manager not needed for the clash with the Toffees.
John Cross has praised Nuno for taking charge straight away, stating that managers deciding not to manage their first game is “one of the worst things in football”.
In the Daily Mirror’s print edition (29 September, page 47), Cross said: “Clearly, they have been talking to Nuno for a while, the deal took time and yet there is no time to waste. They had to make an appointment because West Ham are bang in trouble with a bang average squad.
“And huge credit must go to Nuno, who wanted to take charge straight away. Not for him that ridiculous charade of the new manager sitting in the stands becuase he has not had time to work with his team.
“That is one of the worst things in football. Does the game not matter? Can you just throw points away?”
- Read more: Graham Potter was nearly sacked by West Ham months ago as David Sullivan email exchange revealed
Nuno Espirito Santo needs to make a statement on the pitch fast
Nuno has been welcomed with open arms by West Ham fans, who will have been impressed by his work at both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Forest.
The former Porto man guided both clubs into Europe, with his sacking at the City Ground seen as incredibly harsh, given that he secured a Europa League spot after helping Forest survive in his first season.
| Nuno Espirito Santo record in England | Win ratio |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 45% |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 47% |
| Nottingham Forest | 38% |
However, he needs to prove his credentials straight away with a statement win on Merseyside, with the Hammers stuck on three points, having conceded the joint-most goals in the Premier League this season.
If Nuno can get going quickly and start picking up points early on, he will be able to give himself more time to establish his style of play on a stagnant side, as well as invest in January.
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