For the second time in a month West Ham have yet again been forced to respond to a claim Nuno Espirito Santo could face the sack due to rumblings on the board.
- Hammers News exclusive
Nuno Espirito Santo has faced criticism from a large number of West Ham fans following the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Generally speaking, a point on the road for West Ham in the Premier League is always a good result.
So to pick one up at a quality side like Bournemouth have proved to be over the last couple of seasons, should be a positive for the Hammers.
Yet there is some lingering disappointment at the fact West Ham threw away a precious 2-0 half-time advantage to draw 2-2 with an understrength Cherries side at the Vitality.
Nuno faces fresh criticism over Hammers collapse
Bournemouth were missing three of their best players in Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert and Ben Gannon-Doak.
But Nuno wasn’t without his own problems as Lucas Paqueta was suspended while Crysencio Summerville had to withdraw with an injury.
A prominent insider has since lifted the lid on when Summerville is expected back for the Hammers.
In the end a point was barely deserved for West Ham as Bournemouth laid siege to Alphonse Areola’s goal on the south coast.
The Frenchman produced 10 saves and provided an assist – the first goalkeeper to do so in the Premier League this season – during the game of his life.
He was the only reason Bournemouth did not end up beating the Hammers by a landslide.
The onslaught came after a big change made by Nuno and West Ham supporters have been venting at the head coach since.
Many Hammers fans feel Nuno dropped a huge clanger by substituting off Callum Wilson after just 51 minutes.
The striker had scored two excellent, instinctive goals to give West Ham the lead over his old club.
Chasing a hat-trick, Wilson was visibly and understandably angry at being subbed off.
Nuno was seen dealing with furious West Ham star Wilson after his shock early withdrawal.
On came Tomas Soucek in the auxiliary striker role. But the change completely backfired, allowing Bournemouth to get higher up the pitch as they faced no goal threat behind.
West Ham respond to fresh Nuno sack claim
Nuno then angered fans further when he took off the brilliant Mateus Fernandes, West Ham’s only real legs in the engine room.
The baffling decisions sparked criticism for the head coach – and not for the first time since his arrival in east London.
Nuno was lambasted over a series of left-field changes he made when West Ham were comfortably beaten by Brentford and Leeds.
Nuno’s actions even sparked a West Ham conspiracy theory that he was looking to be paid off to leave already.
Speculation ignited that Nuno could be the latest manager sacked as West Ham fight relegation and claims that he does not have a compensation clause in his contract.
The Hammers spoke out on those Nuno axe reports after the Brentfford and Leeds defeats last month.
Now West Ham have responded to a fresh Nuno sack claim for the second time since his arrival.
A football source known as IndyKaila News, which has recently been quoted by the likes of David Ornstein and Sky Sports after breaking accurate news ahead of other outlets, delivered a shocking West Ham update following the collapse to draw at Bournemouth.
“Nuno Santo job not safe,” the account told its near 700k following.
“Hearing certain West Ham officials not happy.
“Keep an eye on this.”
The post has been viewed around two million times and has been big news in football circles.
Nuno has been working hard on trying to rebuild some team spirit and togetherness at West Ham since his arrival.
From sticking up pictures of every player and member of staff when they were children to bringing family members into the changing room to present Jarrod Bowen and Soucek with signed shirts marking their 250th appearances, Nuno has been keen to foster closer bonds.
There have been clear signs of progress on that front with the team much more resilient and committed on the pitch.
Hammers set record straight after claim board divided over Nuno
So news like this, claiming Nuno may not last too long due to some board members not being fans of the new boss, do not help.
Especially coming after a game where the manager has been criticised for negative tactics costing the team points.
Hammers News put the new Nuno sack claim to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners.
And we are pleased to report the response was as emphatic as they come.
Asked directly whether there was any truth to the claim and whether there were any divides on the board over the new manager, West Ham’s response should nip the rumours in the bud.
“Absolute rubbish,” West Ham’s top spokesman exclusively told Hammers News.
“It is laughable in the extreme and you wonder where they come up with this garbage.”
So there you have it West Ham fans, Nuno is going nowhere and there is no truth to the rumour.
Given what is at stake this season, everyone at the club needs to be pulling in the same direction.
So Hammers News is delighted to dispel the claim about the manager ahead of another huge game against Liverpool this Sunday.
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