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The new West Ham manager believes it will take time to build a distinct identity at the London club. Having previously managed Forest, who is settling in to his recent appointment, aims to bond with the team’s heritage on an deeper level.

Learning the West Ham Way

Hired after the abrupt departure of the previous manager, Nuno revealed that experienced club employees have been filling him in about what it means to be a Hammer. When asked about his view of the club’s famous identity, he beamed and acknowledged that it means different things—many fans view it as gung-ho football, while other emphasize passion and resilience.

“This is what I’m trying to understand every day,” he said. “It goes beyond learning—it must be felt. Patience is required to feel it. Once we feel it, we must embed it within.”

He emphasized that passion makes the difference, rather than mental comprehension. When it comes to style and culture, Nuno stated they are still far from achieving it. “Merely talking about the ‘West Ham way’—let’s create it, let’s live it.”

Starting Period and Long Road Ahead

The new manager’s start kicked off with an positive 1-1 draw away to Everton. When asked about the distance he is to developing a recognizable philosophy, he responded, “In my opinion not very close. It’s a tough task and requires a collective push at the club. But it’s a priority.”

Commonly, supporters have a demand from followers for entertaining style. The former manager, the most successful West Ham boss, came under criticism due to his pragmatic approach. Later coaches also struggled changing the on-field approach in the period after his departure.

Playing Philosophy and Squad Balance

Now, it falls to Nuno to decide whether points are a higher priority than attractive football. The team have let in a high number of goals in their first six Premier League games and find themselves in the relegation zone.

“What shapes the team’s approach is not the coach,” he explained. “The team itself that decides how we play. It’s essential to achieve harmony between defense and attack. We must avoid pushing up unbalanced, since that opens up spaces for rival teams. We must be solid at the back, while also prioritizing our plan when we recover the ball.”

Player Availability

West Ham might have available important players ahead of the next fixture at Arsenal. Furthermore, the manager suggested a possible recall for a former regular who was omitted in the previous game. He had a brief stint under Nuno previously, though his time at the club was cut short.