West Ham are not expected to sack Nuno Espirito Santo imminently after an improved performance against Nottingham Forest despite being defeated.
Nuno was appointed as West Ham’s new boss to succeed Graham Potter in September, but he has been unable to lead them away from the relegation zone over the last few months.
They are one place and four points behind Nottingham Forest in 18th right now, with relegation a distinct possibility after a 2-1 defeat to Nuno‘s old club on Tuesday.
West Ham’s board are unsure about Nuno‘s future as it stands, but he has been given the chance to bring in numerous new signings so far this month to turn the tide for the second half of the campaign.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Portuguese boss is not set to lose his job in the coming days.
Despite a late loss as Morgan Gibbs-White converted from the penalty spot, the Hammers were the better team on the night against Forest and could have taken all three points had they converted more chances.
Sources have told Football Insider that Nuno will be given another month at West Ham to try to turn things around, so he is not expected to lose his job anytime soon.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Obviously there’s a lot of pressure on Nuno. Another defeat to Nottingham Forest, one of their relegation rivals, in midweek, has left them seven points from safety and staring down the barrel of a relegation.
“But it does seem, from what my sources tell me, that West Ham are expected to stick with Nuno for now. That’s despite their recent results, 10 games without a win, defeats to Wolves and Forest.
“In Nuno’s defence, their performance against Forest was a lot better, and they were a bit unlucky. There were a few VAR decisions that went against West Ham as well.“
West Ham set to sign another centre-back amid Max Kilman doubts
Nuno’s side has yet to keep a clean sheet since his arrival as West Ham manager, despite some improved performances from first-choice keeper Alphonse Areola.
Centre-back Max Kilman has constantly been ripped into by West Ham fans over recent months, and his poor form was recognised by Nuno in midweek, as he dropped him to the bench against Forest.
Former senior scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Nuno wants to sign a “top-class” centre-back to bolster his defensive options, as a result of their recent struggles.
West Ham are interested in signing Roggerio Nyakossi from Belgian Pro League club OH Leuven, and it is a position that they are prioritising after the arrivals of Pablo and Taty Castellanos in attack.