However much the [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/latest-report-suggests-west-ham-board-divided-over-crucial-decision/) board attempt to dress up Nuno’s performance last season, fans appear to have worked out for themselves exactly when, and why, the ‘turnaround’ took place in the middle of a terrible season that saw first Potter fired and then Nuno Espírito Santo struggle.
The official announcement from the board two days ago does seem to gloss over Nuno’s early struggles.
The PR release from [West Ham](https://www.whufc.com/en/news/club-statement-27-may-2026) which accompanied news of Nuno’s agreement to stay at London Stadium for another season stated, somewhat disingenuously:
_“A total of 25 points taken from our final 17 Premier League matches equated to 1.47 points per game – a ratio that would have resulted in a seventh-place finish across the full season. Furthermore, we feel the clear improvement in squad mentality and togetherness since January, leading to that upturn in performances and results, makes him the right man to lead us forward.”_
Today’s news that assistant manager **Paco Jemez** has left the club, in the context of those figures, is worrying for supporters _since Jemez’ arrival co-incided with the upturn in January._
Nuno’s 16 games without Paco Jemez yielded just two wins, four draws and ten losses. Which was 0.62 points per game.
Predictably, Claret and Hugh’s readers reacted with alarm to news of Jemez’ departure earlier today :
_**Bonzo’sboi66**: ‘Nuno’s record pre-Jemez was woeful and disjointed, especially in attack. i thought he would have been begged to stay on. thoroughly unimpressed…AGAIN!”_
_**WhuPaul**:”That is a blow. We were better with him. Nuno was a little clueless before he arrived”._
_**Dean Murphy:** “This a disastrous move. Get rid of the three that have been at the club forever and a day, send them back to the U21/23 and keep Paco. Our form only picked up after he arrived. Is the Board that thick!!!!!????”_
Pretty universal upset voiced by readers, then, over Paco’s departure. However…
Providing a combative, competent successor is appointed, it need not be the disaster it seems.
Clearly Nuno alone cannot deliver a successful promotion campaign, so we will all just have to wait with baited breath to see who joins the coaching team in the summer.
Hopefully, another assistant with the ‘cojones’ to challenge Nuno’s negativity!