🔗 Share this article Nuno Espírito Santo Makes Creating West Ham Identity His Number One Focus The new West Ham manager feels it will take time to develop a clear philosophy at the London club. The former Nottingham Forest manager, who is getting accustomed to his new position, wants to bond with the club’s culture on an emotional level. Discovering the Team Identity Appointed after the abrupt departure of the previous manager, Nuno explained that longstanding staff have been filling him in about the club’s inner workings. In response to a query about his view of the famous “West Ham way”, he smiled and stated that it carries various meanings—many fans view it as all-out offense, while other emphasize fighting spirit. “It’s exactly what I’m working to grasp on a daily basis,” he said. “It’s not just understanding—we have to feel it. Patience is required to feel it. After it’s internalized, it’s vital to make it part of us.” He stressed that passion makes the difference, instead of mental comprehension. On the topic of style and culture, Nuno admitted they are not yet close from achieving it. “Simply saying the ‘West Ham way’—we must build it, we must feel it.” Initial Phase and Future Challenges The new manager’s start kicked off with an positive equal result at Everton. Inquired about how close he is to developing a team identity, he replied, “Personally, I feel quite distant. It’s challenging and requires a collective push at the club. Yet it remains crucial.” Commonly, supporters have a demand from the fanbase for entertaining style. The former manager, the most successful West Ham boss, later encountered pressure due to his defensive mindset. Later coaches found it tough changing the playing philosophy in the years following his exit. Style of Play and Player Roles Now, it falls to Nuno to decide whether results are a higher priority than exciting play. West Ham have allowed 14 goals in the initial six league matches and currently sit in a low position. “What shapes the style of play is not just the manager,” the manager emphasized. “The team itself that influences our approach. We need to strike an equilibrium between defense and attack. We cannot pushing up unbalanced, as that opens up spaces for the opposition. It’s vital to be solid at the back, but always prioritizing our next move after winning possession.” Team News Nuno’s side might have available important players in preparation for the match against Arsenal. Also, the head coach left the door open a possible recall for an experienced midfielder who was left out in the most recent fixture. The player spent some time under the manager earlier, however his time at the club was cut short.