[Nuno Espírito Santo’s](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nuno-support-from-an-unlikely-source-west-ham-news/) strange team selections over the last two games and caused many to scratch their heads – which reportedly included his backroom staff. Sources have suggested that they questioned his team selection for the Brentford and Leeds games.
Now conspiracies are emerging that the Portuguese manager is staging a protest against the club board, having believed he would be able to bring in his own back room staff when he accepted the job as West Ham Head Coach.
His former goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa was seen on the bench at the Brentford home game having been released by Nottingham Forest following Sean Dyches appointment – yet West Ham haven’t officially confirmed that he has joined West Ham, and the club website still states that Billy Lepine occupies that role.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s demeanour is concerning
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During the Leeds United game Nuno’s body language spoke volumes. He rarely consulted his backroom team while he stood on the sidelines watching the mess unfold.
His continued omission of a natural striker is also being viewed as a pointed reminder to the board that reinforcements are urgently needed in the January transfer window if the club is to avoid relegation.
With West Ham languishing in 19th place, the timing of this internal strife couldn’t be worse. A squad already low on confidence and cohesion now faces the added burden of managerial uncertainty and speculation about behind-the-scenes power struggles.