West Ham star Konstantinos Mavropanos has revealed the key difference between Nuno Espirito Santo and assistant Paco Jemez amid talk the Spaniard could succeed the Hammers’ head coach.
It is fair to say most West Ham fans feel the team would have long been safe had Nuno Espirito Santo been the manager all season.
As it was, Nuno inherited a mess from the hapless Graham Potter and it took him until January to start getting a tune out of the Hammers.
That also coincided with the appointment of Paco Jemez as Nuno’s assistant at the turn of the year.
Mavropanos on different attributes Nuno and Paco bring to West Ham
The no-nonsense, passionate Jemez has been a huge hit with West Ham’s players and fans.
Hammers stars have literally been queueing up to credit the former Ibiza manager for West Ham’s turnaround.
What would you say if Paco Jemez took Nuno’s job?
He's certainly made a big impact…
Paco Jemez the manager of Rayo Vallecano reacts during the La Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Vigo, Spain.
Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of Jemez too, highlighting his reputation as a quality coach.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Now West Ham star Konstantinos Mavropanos has revealed the key difference between Nuno and Jemez amid succession talk.
Many Hammers fans have called for the club to appoint Jemez if Nuno leaves this summer.
Paco Jemez speaks to Nuno Espirito Santo during West Ham's game with Chelsea.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
After the defeat to Aston Villa, Jamie Carragher said Jemez is a big reason West Ham can stay up.
Jemez read the riot act to Nuno on the touchline over his tactics when he first arrived, endearing him to Hammers fans.
Nuno wanted to bring on the unpopular Max Kilman to see out a game and Jemez revealed afterwards that he disagreed with the choice of substitution and was telling the manager to make a more attacking change.
West Ham handed Nuno a three-year deal when he was appointed. But there has been talk he could walk if the Hammers are relegated.
What Jemez would bring to West Ham if he took over from Nuno
There have also been claims Nuno may leave in the summer even if the Hammers stay up, because there is expected to be a fire sale of players and little money to spend after the club posted record £104m losses.
Many fans feel the club have the ideal replacement in the building already in the form of Jemez.
Where would West Ham be right NOW if we hadn’t sacked Graham Potter? 🤔
Let's here your views!
Nuno Espirito Santo, manager of West Ham United, looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on March 22, 2026. Sweden's coach Graham Potter arrives on the pitch prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification Group B football match between Sweden and Slovenia, in Solna on November 18, 2025.
His stock has risen even further after Jemez revealed he previously snubbed rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Mavropanos has credited Jemez with the team’s improvement. And that carries weight given the big Greek is arguably West Ham’s most improved player since Jemez’s arrival.
The big Hammers favourite says Nuno specialises in giving players confidence, including everyone and building togetherness in the team and squad.
Paco Jemez, Assistant Manager of West Ham United, during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nuno, Mavropanos says, is big on all working and fighting for one another and having a strong team spirit.
Whereas Jemez has proved he is a top level tactician, crediting the Spaniard with making West Ham more solid, organised and effective.
“Since he (Nuno) came in, he tried to give to everyone confidence,” Mavropanos told West Ham’s website.
“He tried to include everyone in the team, to be on the same page, all of us, to fight for each other and have this togetherness.
“And I think this gives us also what you saw on the pitch as well. Like, you can see the effort that we put in as a team, the togetherness and how we can fight for each other.”
Jemez meanwhile has the tactical nous to help players and the team improve and show their true potential according to West Ham’s big number 15.
“I think not only Paco, I think the Head Coach, the whole staff and afterwards Paco as well, they’ve been helping us a lot,” Mavropanos added.
“Paco obviously was closer with the defenders because he was the one showing us some things that we can improve and we have to improve.
“So, he helped us a lot as well, but I think the whole coaching staff has been incredible. They just try to help us improve and show to the pitch our potential.”
It seems West Ham could do a lot worse than hand Jemez the reins if Nuno does depart this summer.
Although the Portuguese is expected
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox