As the Hammers sit perilously in the relegation zone heading into the new year, club sources have emphatically backed the Portuguese coach, pledging full support in the upcoming January transfer window. Nuno Espírito Santo is here to stay. He will get to bring in some of his own players and maybe even a couple of coaches. One source even went as far as to say, "he's our man for the rest of the season, win or lose."
Nuno, appointed on September 27, 2025, following the dismissal of Graham Potter, has endured a challenging start at the London Stadium. Taking over a squad low on confidence after a turbulent period—West Ham had already cycled through Julen Lopetegui (sacked in January 2025) and Potter earlier in the year—Nuno's tenure began with four winless games. A brief resurgence followed, with the team losing just one in six, but a recent run of three consecutive defeats has plunged them to third-bottom, five points from safety.
""We see him as the right man for the job""West Ham team source
Despite the scrutiny and fan frustration, the board's stance is resolute. According to reports from BBC Sport on December 29, West Ham are "committed to backing" Nuno in the transfer market, vowing to provide funds for new signings. This comes amid speculation over potential sales, such as Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá, but the priority is reinforcing a defense that has managed only one clean sheet all season.
Nuno inherited a mismatched squad, pieced together by previous regimes. Defensive frailties have persisted, with the Hammers conceding heavily in his 13 games in charge (23 goals against, 14 scored). Yet, insiders insist the 51-year-old has improved performances and restored some pride, even if results have not yet followed. His track record speaks volumes: at Nottingham Forest, he transformed a relegation-threatened side into European qualifiers, earning multiple Manager of the Month awards before a fallout led to his departure in September 2025.
The decision to retain Nuno reflects a desire for continuity after a chaotic 2025. West Ham have already parted ways with three managers this calendar year, a cycle that has undermined progress. Backing Nuno now, especially with his first proper transfer window on the horizon, offers a chance to build rather than reset again.
A demanding fixture list lies ahead—starting with Brighton on December 30, followed by clashes against former clubs Wolves and Forest, plus tough tests against Tottenham and Chelsea. These games could define the season, but the club believes Nuno is the right leader to navigate them, provided reinforcements arrive. "We see him as the right man for the job," claimed a team source. "You can liken it to when David Moyes came in and steadied things."
In an era where managerial sackings dominate headlines, West Ham's faith in Nuno Espírito Santo stands out as a vote of confidence in long-term vision over short-term panic. "We began to build after Moyes was hired," the source added. "In the January (2020) transfer window, (Jarrod) Bowen and (Tomas) Soucek were brought in and changed the outlook of the season. We believe we can do the same with Nuno in January." The source added that the squad can pull out of relegation and begin building with Nuno for the future. As for January, they already have their targets and feel they can confirm transfers early in the window.
As the transfer window opens, all eyes will be on how West Ham bolster the squad. If Nuno gets the tools he needs, this backing could prove a masterstroke. For now, the message from east London is clear: Nuno stays.