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West Ham United head coach Nuno Espirito Santo expects his permanent backroom team to be in place by the end of the October international break.
The Portuguese, appointed only last week, oversaw Monday’s 1-1 draw with Everton alongside academy coaches Mark Robson, Gerard Prenderville, Billy Lepine and Steve Potts. The quartet stepped in to assist for Nuno’s first game in charge but he is expected to bring in his own staff in the coming weeks.
Negotiations are ongoing, though no appointments are anticipated before Saturday’s trip to Arsenal. The club had moved quickly to secure Nuno’s arrival before the Everton fixture, with Graham Potter’s entire coaching team having departed the London Stadium.
West Ham will now use the two-week break to make further additions, but there is no immediate urgency given Nuno’s productive early work with the interim coaching group. Training sessions in his first days have emphasised defensive structure and set-piece organisation following the Hammers’ poor start to the campaign.
No Premier League side has conceded more goals this season, with their vulnerability to crosses again exposed when Michael Keane headed in for Everton at the London Stadium. Nuno’s Nottingham Forest side were praised for their defensive discipline last year, having not conceded from a corner by October. By contrast, West Ham have already let in more goals from corners than any other top-flight team.
The Hammers face a daunting task this weekend at the Emirates, but there were signs of greater resilience against Everton as Nuno begins the challenge of steering them clear of relegation trouble.
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