Rumours of unrest at West Ham | OneFootball

Reports suggest Nuno Espírito Santo is at risk of losing the support of the West Ham United squad amid growing concerns over his man-management and tactical approach.

The east London side are bogged down in a relegation battle following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Espírito Santo failing to lift the mood around the London Stadium since he replaced Graham Potter in September. 

The Portuguese coach has won just two of his 15 matches in charge and is under increasing pressure ahead of Tuesday’s crucial meeting with former club Nottingham Forest. West Ham sit 18th, four points adrift of Forest, and while the club are expected to stick with their manager for now, scrutiny of his methods is intensifying.

According to the Guardian, sources have described Nuno as distant and uncommunicative, with frustration growing over unclear training sessions and questionable team selections. Some players are said to feel marginalised, believing they have little understanding of how to work their way into his plans, while others feel they have been used out of position.

Confusion has surrounded several tactical calls, including the use of full-backs on their weaker sides and the decision to play without a recognised striker in defeats to Leeds United and Brentford. Concerns have also been raised internally over declining performance metrics and a tendency for the team to fade after defensive substitutions.

The heavy loss to Wolves — who had been winless in the league beforehand — came as little surprise to those close to the squad. Sources say Nuno offered little on the touchline as his side trailed 3-0 at half-time.

Despite the unrest, West Ham’s board are reluctant to make a second managerial change this season. They have continued to back Nuno in the transfer market, signing forward Pablo from Gil Vicente and working on deals for Taty Castellanosand Adama Traoré.