Nuno Espirito Santo was announced as West Ham United’s new manager just 18 days after leaving Nottingham Forest. The Hammers fired Graham Potter on Saturday morning, confirming former wolves, Tottenham and Forest boss Nuno as their successors. Nuno left the forest alone – finishing sixth last season and bringing him back to Europe – as the masses dropped out of the club class. The Portuguese coach publicly admitted that his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis has become sour.
However, he will return to the Premier League less than three weeks later, facing Everton at Hildickinson Stadium in his first match he will be in charge of Monday night. West Ham owner David Sullivan is also believed to have consulted with former manager Slaven Billick before choosing to appoint former Nuno. Wolves head coach Viter Pereira was another person to see.
Confirming Nuno’s appointment, West Ham said in a statement: “West Ham United have announced that Nuno Espirito Santo has appointed the club’s new men’s head coach, and Nuno has signed a three-year contract with the Hammers and will be responsible for their first match to travel to Everton in the Premier League on Monday evening.
“Ahead of a trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening, the new head coach, born in Sao Tome, trained at Rush Green on Saturday afternoon. Nuno will be tentatively supported by academy coaches, Mark Robson, Steve Potts, Gerald Prenderville and Billy Lepin.
“Everyone at West Ham United welcomes Nuno to the club and wishes all his success for his career at Claret and Blue.”
The new manager said: “I am extremely proud to be here and represent West Ham United. My goal is to work hard to get the best from the team and ensure we are as competitive as possible. The work has already begun and I look forward to the challenges that go on.”
On Saturday morning, the East London Club said of Potter’s dismissal: “West Ham United can confirm that Coach Graham Potter has left the club.
“The results and performances do not match expectations between the second half of last season and the beginning of the 2025/26 season. The board believes changes are needed to improve the team’s position in the Premier League as quickly as possible.
“The club can see that assistant coaches Bruno Salt, Billy Reed and Narciss Perach, lead goalkeeper coach Casper Anchorglen and goalkeeper coach Linas Kandlin are also working immediately. The board would like to thank Graham and his coaching staff for their hopes for success with Hammer.
“The process of appointing an exchange is underway. The club will not comment any more at this time.”
Potter had only 25 matches in nine months in charge at London Stadium, but after one win and four losses in the first five games of the campaign, he went from second to second at the Premier League table.
The British have only won six overall matches with the Hammers since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January. The former Brighton and Chelsea manager are not doing the job that once again hit the reputation of his business by struggling to make an impact at West Ham.
