Further proof that new majority owner Daniel Kretinsky has West Ham’s best interests at heart where it matters most has emerged from none other than Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham fans have been blown away by the refreshing changes being made since Daniel Kretinsky and Karim Virani took charge at the club following the resignations of David Sullivan and Karren Brady.
Hammers supporters have voted with their hard-earned money too, with more than 50,000 of them buying season tickets despite relegation to the Championship.
It means West Ham have the second most season ticket holders in the country once again, behind only Man United.
Nuno reveals Kretinsky granted big summer wish
With their massive profile and following, the temptation for West Ham’s hierarchy is to milk it for every penny it is worth.
That has certainly been the case under previous regimes, often to the detriment of the actual football team on the pitch.
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Just the 50k season ticket renewals! Not bad for a relegated side…
But things are changing for the better it seems, according to the team’s manager himself.
Because Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed Kretinsky granted his wish to help West Ham bounce straight back to the Premier League.
West Ham can stand to make hundreds of thousands – if not millions – by travelling the globe to play pre-season friendlies and tournaments.
Brady was very much all about pushing the West Ham brand with fans accusing the club of sometimes losing sight of them and the priorities of the team on the pitch in the process.
Long trips to Australia and America for pre-season tours were a drain on the team.
But there is none of that this summer – because Kretinsky allowed Nuno to keep the team local with no long journeys and focused on one thing – promotion back to the big time.
Nuno says small pre-season can help West Ham bounce straight back
West Ham’s pre-season schedule is very modest compared to previous summers.
After playing Southend, the Hammers face Stevenage and then Rangers before a short trip to Germany to play 1.FC Magdeburg.
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Less time spent travelling, more time spent training and preparing for the club’s single biggest aim – Championship promotion says Nuno.
That is what is needed given the fiercely competitive nature of the second tier says the Hammers boss.
And he says staying local for pre-season, with fewer miles in the players’ bodies gives them the best chance of making an all-important fast start.
“I think the standards (of the Championship) are improving,” Nuno told Sky Sports.
“Season by season it has become harder, it’s a tough competition. It’s a lot of games, it’s a tight schedule, a lot of teams with quality, good managers.
“I know how tough it is. I believe each season it is going to get harder because the teams prepare well and better.
“But I believe we are ready, it is a long, long season but starting well is important.
“I’m so confident that the way we put together our pre-season allows us more time on the pitch (training) than travelling.
“If you compare it, it is so vital for us that we have many hours on the grass to put things right.”
After their modest pre-season, West Ham’s competitive action begins with the visit of Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup first round.
That’s before the Championship opener away at potential title rivals Burnley.
It will quickly become clear whether Nuno’s pre-season masterplan gives the Hammers an extra edge.
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