Nuno Espirito Santo has been appointed as West Ham United’s new manager after the London club sacked Graham Potter on Saturday morning, just two days before facing Everton in the Premier League.
Potter became the second managerial casualty of the Premier League season following Nuno’s dismissal by Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
Potter only lasted 25 games at the helm having come in to replace Julen Lopetegui in January this year, and he leaves with the Hammers languishing in 19th in the table.
Nuno, who has also coached Wolves, Tottenham and Forest in the Premier League, has penned a three-year deal with the club.
Speaking after his appointment, the Portuguese coach expressed his excitement for the task ahead.
‘I am very pleased to be here and very proud to be representing West Ham United,’ he said.
West Ham have appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their manager after sacking Graham Potter
Nuno has quickly returned to management after his dismissal by Nottingham Forest this month
‘My objective is to work hard to get the very best from the team and ensure that we are as competitive as we possibly can be.
‘The work has already started and I am looking forward to the challenge that is ahead.’
Nuno took training on Saturday morning and will be in charge for Monday’s clash at Everton.
Ironically, West Ham’s only victory this season came against Nuno’s Forest when they secured a shock 3-0 win last month.
Bar a short, unsuccessful stint at Tottenham, the 51-year-old has an impressive record in the English game.
Over a four-year period at Wolves, Nuno took the club from the Championship and into Europe. His highlights included a Europa League quarter-final appearance, the Championship title and two seventh place finishes in the top flight.
Nuno has also coached several clubs across the globe including Valencia, Porto and Al-Ittihad, but he later arrived at Forest in December 2023 with the club in a battle to avoid relegation.
Despite a six-point deduction, Nuno guided the club to safety and then helped Forest to qualify for Europe last season.
However, he departed earlier this month amid a souring of his relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
Potter was dismissed on Saturday morning with the Hammers down in 19th in the table
Nuno has previously coached Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League
Meanwhile, Potter returned to management with the Hammers in January, in what was his first coaching position since being axed by Chelsea in April 2023.
West Ham were 14th in the Premier League at the time of his arrival, but they won just five league games over the remainder of the season.
The Englishman was unable to turn around that slump this time around, with his exit coming after four defeats in their first five games, while the Hammers have conceded 13 goals, the most in the Premier League.
Speaking after his departure, the 50-year-old – who won six and lost 14 of his 25 games – expressed his frustration at how his short-lived tenure turned out.
‘I am incredibly disappointed to be leaving West Ham United Football Club, particularly without being able to achieve what we set out to achieve at the start of our journey in East London,’ he said in a statement.
‘I do however fully acknowledge that the results have just not been good enough up to now.
‘Firstly, thank you to the board for offering me the opportunity to manage the team during the past 8 months.
‘It was an honour and a privilege to manage such a historic club, which holds such strong values for footballing traditions and passion for the game.
‘I’d like to thank all the staff at the club who made me feel so welcome, the playing squad and their continued efforts during my time – and lastly the fans, who have been so supportive during what has been a difficult journey at times.
‘I wish the club nothing but the best of luck for the future. Thank you and goodbye for now. Come on you irons. GP X.’
