West Ham’s owners have explained why things have suddenly clicked for the team under Nuno Espirito Santo as they fight for Premier League survival.
There are two big frustrations when it comes to Nuno Espirito Santo at West Ham.
Firstly that he was not in charge of the Hammers from last summer.
Secondly that it took him so long to start getting a tune out of this West Ham side in their battle to beat the drop.
Nuno was not available last summer of course, even if the writing was on the wall for him at Nottingham Forest.
West Ham owners explain why things have clicked for Nuno
But West Ham clearly made the wrong decision in sticking with Graham Potter despite a completely underwhelming first six months in charge.
Potter was axed just six weeks into the new season with the Hammers already playing catch-up in what is the most fiercely competitive Premier League campaign for 15 years.
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West Ham United's Konstantinos Mavropanos celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on April 10, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.
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There was no new manager bounce under Nuno, though, as West Ham’s struggles continued for three months until their transformation started in January.
Now West Ham’s owners have explained why things are suddenly clicking for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates with the West Ham coaching staff after the team score against Wolves in the Premier League.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
And the Hammers board are hoping it proves to be in the nick of time rather than too little too late.
There is no hiding the fact Nuno inherited a mess from Potter, who had allowed a host of hard-working, experienced stars to leave in a transitional season where West Ham would need them most.
But the Portuguese has also been criticised for his team selections and tactics at times.
Two games, against Brentford and Leeds, stand out from Nuno’s early days where he made a host of bizarre changes which ultimately resulted in damaging defeats.
Nuno now knows his best team say Hammers board
Since losing 2-1 at home to Forest in January, though, the Hammers have clicked under Nuno, becoming the form side in the relegation battle.
A 4-0 win over Wolves on Friday night saw West Ham climb out of the relegation zone, pushing bitter rivals Spurs down there in their place.
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With six games to go, West Ham have more than a fighting chance of survival.
So why the sudden upturn?
Well the answer is quite simple according to West Ham’s owners – the manager finally knows his best team.
Nuno Espírito Santo and Mads Hermansen after West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Speaking exclusively to Hammers News about the club’s situation, a senior spokesman for West Ham’s hierarchy has revealed it is felt two wins and two draws – or three wins – from the last six games will keep the club up.
That would put West Ham on 40 or 41 points come what May.
And it has all been made possible by Nuno deciding on a settled side according to the owners, who say they are now just hoping the team can steer clear of any costly injuries.
“Fingers crossed because Nuno has got the team playing,” a senior West Ham spokesman told Hammers News.
“He now knows virtually what his best team is now.
“Let’s hope they all stay injury free.”
The Hammers board make a salient point and it shows where Potter got things so wrong as he chopped and changed the team so much, never settling on a core 11 players.
The arrival of Paco Jemez as assistant coach cannot be underestimated either. Not least because West Ham’s players – almost to a man – have lauded the no-nonsense Spaniard’s impact.
West Ham’s board revealed a strange Jarrod Bowen omen which could bode well for Nuno in the wake of the win over Wolves.
Another positive development for the Hammers has been injuries to key players at both Spurs and Leeds.
Many feel it could be Leeds who drop having gone six games without a win and with a star trio out until May.
Providing everyone stays fit, West Ham will hope their consistency of team selection ultimately proves the difference in the relegation battle.
Relegation run-in remaining fixtures:
Team Remaining fixtures (Opponent + H/A)
West Ham United Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H), Newcastle United (A) and Leeds United (H)
Nottingham Forest Aston Villa (H), Burnley (H), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (A), Newcastle United (H), Man United (A) and Bournemouth (H)
Tottenham Hotspur Sunderland (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds United (H), Chelsea (A) and Everton (H)
Leeds United Man United (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Burnley (H), Spurs (A), Brighton (H) and West Ham (A)
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