Nuno Espirito Santo has made a shock West Ham announcement nobody expected and the truth behind the long-term plan has been clarified.
West Ham have been like a revolving door of players, managers and staff over the last 18 months.
The Hammers are on their fourth manager in that time in Nuno Espirito Santo.
There has been a chaotic turnover of around 40 players at West Ham in that time too.
That’s not to mention the plethora of staff changes and the upheaval that causes behind the scenes.
So is it any wonder West Ham have been struggling so badly?
Mammoth staff and player turnover at West Ham is unsustainable
There have been encouraging signs of life under Nuno so far, though.
The advent of another two-week international break bores Premier League fans to tears.
But it does at least give Nuno a block of uninterrupted time to work with the players who are not away with their countries.
It also gave the Portuguese the chance to get his backroom team sorted.
When Nuno was announced as Graham Potter’s replacement two weeks ago, he arrived alone following his sacking at Forest.
Potter was followed out of the Hammers exit by his entire staff roster – which included two goalkeeper coaches.
So the ex Wolves and Spurs boss drafted in Academy coaches Mark Robson, Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville and Billy Lepine to help out as West Ham went to Everton and drew 1-1 before a resilient display in defeat at Arsenal.
It was widely expected that Nuno was going to bring in a number of his own men for the backroom team.
There are several coaches the 51-year-old has worked with at Wolves, Spurs and Forest who it was anticipated would be joining him in east London.
Robson was, however, tipped to be retained as part of Nuno’s new-look first team staff.
Truth clarified as Nuno makes shock West Ham announcement
Now the truth has been clarified as Nuno makes a shock West Ham announcement nobody expected.
In a statement on West Ham’s website, Nuno has confirmed that all four Academy coaches Robson, Potts, Prenderville and Lepine have now been officially promoted to be the first-team staff.
Nuno called the coaches great assets and people who, beyond their knowledge and effort, feel for West Ham United, something he says is key to the challenge the club is currently facing.
“I’ve been very impressed by their work, their knowledge and their commitment to West Ham United,” Nuno said.
“They know the club, the players and the people here very well, and that’s a great strength for us going forward.
“Everyone has been very supportive during these first two weeks; they immediately understood what I’m trying to implement, and we already have a good relationship. Every day we learn more and work harder to get closer to the team we want to become.”
Clubs like West Ham should always be looking to promote from within.
Success stories in the Academy setup have all too often been ignored in the past.
But many have speculated that it may potentially be a temporary measure for the rest of Nuno’s first season and that some of Nuno’s own men will be coming in at some stage.
West Ham confirm future plans for Nuno backroom team
With many of his trusted sidekicks from his time at Forest still in post, getting those coaches out of their clubs can be easier said than done.
So will Nuno be joined at West Ham by his own coaching picks in time?
Hammers News has spoken to a leading non-board source at West Ham about the situation.
It has been confirmed that Robson, Potts, Prenderville and Lepine are very much here to stay as part of the staff for Nuno’s initial three-year deal.
And the head coach will not be joined by anyone from outside later on as things stand.
“His people from Forest won’t be coming,” the West Ham source told Hammers News.
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