Nuno Espirito Santo’s coaching staff at Premier League relegation-battlers West Ham United looks set to be boosted by the appointment of Paco Jemez.
According to prominent Hammers insider ExWHUemployee, on his West Ham Way Patreon, Paco Jemez is set to be appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s new assistant ahead of Saturday’s derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
But just who is the 55-year-old from the Canary Islands? And what sort of an impact could he have at the London Stadium? After Nuno expressed frustrations about a lack of behind-the-scenes appointments, per Tom Collomosse of The Daily Mail, this should really shake things up a bit.
Admired by Luis Enrique and loved by Pep Guardiola… 🇪🇸
What do YOU think about West Ham hiring Paco Jemez?
As avid La Liga watchers will be keen to explain, if you are a West Ham United supporter pining for a more attacking style of football, Paco Jemez might just be the appointment you have been craving.
Think ‘West Ham Way’ amped up to eleven.
West Ham United’s next assistant coach Paco Jemez was a La Liga revelation
Given that Nuno was a goalkeeper in his past life, it is perhaps fitting that he prefers a cautious, defence-first system. But Paco Jemez, once hanging up his boots in 2005, cast off the shackles of his central defensive past in favour of one of the most buccaneering tactical pursuits in all of European football.
After building up a reputation for himself with success in the lower leagues at FC Cartagena and Las Palmas, Jemez exploded onto the La Liga scene with Rayo Vallecano in 2012.
Not only did he guide Rayo to a best-ever league placing of eighth during a remarkable debut campaign – with the smallest budget in the division, no less – he did so while instilling a style of football so open, so expansive that even Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique would keep a special place in their heart for him and his swashbuckling side.
There was a point, in 2014, when Rayo had the fifth-highest average possession in Europe. Behind only Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Pep’s Bayern Munich.
In perhaps his most iconic moment, Jemez’s Rayo became the first team in a staggering 316 matches to average more of the ball than Barcelona. They would lose that game 4-0, yes, but arguably no game better epitomised Jemez’s style-over-results visage.
“I prefer to concede five goals like that than concede three with everyone behind the ball,” Jemez said after one 5-0 drubbing by Real Madrid. “The team put in an incredible effort. I wouldn’t care if they score eight against us.”
“I never imagined that, behind that tough centre-half, there was a coach with such an attacking mentality,” the aforementioned Luis Enrique once said of his former Spain international teammate.
“He has shown that he can be brave and that, even with a small budget, you can play attractive football. He is one of the best coaches in [La Liga].”
What do West Ham have to do to BEAT Tottenham on Saturday? ⚒️
And what is your favourite West Ham v Spurs moment?
Jemez modelled his Rayo Vallecano side on Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona
In Marti Perarnau’s 2014 book Pep Confidential, meanwhile, Guardiola himself argued that there were only three teams in the world at that point brave and committed enough to emulate his own style.
One of the three being Jemez’s Rayo Vallecano.
“Like Guardiola’s teams, we press very high as soon as we lose possession,” Jemez would tell DH Net. “As a result, we need possession to recover and rest. We can’t constantly defend, attack, defend, attack.
“[But] we look for the opposition’s goal every time we win the ball back.
“We make sure to run high-intensity sessions to get back to the very high pace we play at in matches. Then, the majority of training is done entirely with the ball. For all the exercises, games, and tasks we give the players, the ball is the common denominator.
“Passing and improving your control and passing skills; that is what gives you minutes of possession.”
Jemez brings attacking verve and odd metaphors to West Ham
That many of you have probably never heard the name ‘Paco Jemez’ is testament to the fact that his once-glittering reputation has dwindled in recent times. His magnificent Rayo spell ended in relegation in 2016.
He was then given the boot after just six matches in charge of Granada following their worst start in 70 years.
Sacked by UD Ibiza in his most recent managerial spell earlier in the campaign, Jemez even spent a couple of seasons in the footballing wilderness in charge of Tractor S.C. And, no, that is not a Sunday league team in East Anglia. Instead, one based in Azerbaijan.
If one typically outlandish quote made just ten months ago proves anything, though, it’s that he has not mellowed in his methods. Paco Jemez remains just as audacious, ambitious, romantic and reckless as ever.
“But statistics have to be taken for what they are. Statistics are like thongs,” Jemez told Marca to bemused glances in the press room.
“They reveal a lot, but they hide what’s most important.”
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