West Ham have moved to respond to two very different rumours surrounding Mark Noble as uncertainty continues to build around the position of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
- Hammers News exclusive
Mark Noble once declared “West Ham were not run like a circus anymore” when the club was controversially leaving Upton Park for the London Stadium.
That claim, when the Hammers were bringing the curtain down on 112 years at their beloved Boleyn Ground, has often been used as a rod with which to beat Noble whenever West Ham find themselves making headlines for the wrong reasons.
And there has been plenty of that this season with the Hammers hurtling towards almost certain relegation.
Four managers in 18 months, three in the last year alone and just 19 wins in their last 78 Premier League games, since January 2024, tells the story of a club that has been in freefall.
Focus turns to Noble as West Ham hurtle towards relegation
When West Ham hit upon difficult times in the past, they would have the likes of Declan Rice, Noble, Kevin Nolan and other great characters to lean on.
After retiring, Noble returned to West Ham in a newly created sporting director role three years ago.
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West Ham stated Noble would ‘work closely in support of the manager, as well as working with the Board of Directors, providing input, advice, and assistance across all aspects of the football operation’.
After struggling with the transfers side of the role, Noble shifted towards being a bridge between the Academy and the first team.
He has also been heavily involved in helping signings settle in and understand what it means to play for West Ham.
Labelled ‘Mr West Ham’ Noble has been particularly quiet this term.
Fans usually hear from their former midfielder through interviews and the like over the course of a season.
With West Ham winless in 10 games, Nuno Espirito Santo is under pressure to keep his job.
A host of names have been linked as potential replacements from Michael Carrick to Slaven Bilic and Kieran McKenna.
With speculation intensifying both on and off the pitch, there have been the inevitable calls for Noble to take the job on an interim basis.
Now West Ham have responded to two very different Noble rumours amid growing Nuno uncertainty.
West Ham respond to two very different Noble rumours
Despite persistent rumours Nuno could be sacked imminently, the Hammers have been busy backing the head coach with signings in the January transfer window.
Some have questioned the wisdom of signing players for a manager who may not even be at the club much longer.
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The club has lost HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS over the last two seasons…
But for West Ham it is a last roll of the dice to try and help the team fight for Premier League safety.
Many supporters have noted Noble has not been seen in and around the first team as much since Nuno’s arrival.
One eagle-eyed supporter also spotted Noble is not listed on the ‘Who’s Who’ section of the club’s official website.
That has led to speculation Noble may have left the club.
Hammers News asked the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners what the situation is with Noble.
It was put to the board whether Noble was still sporting director and still at the club.
And the Hammers’ hierarchy have a simple explanation for his absence around the club of late.
West Ham set record straight on Noble amid Nuno uncertainty
“Yes he is still sporting director,” the West Ham spokesman told Hammers News about Noble.
“There is nothing to the speculation (about Noble being interim manager if Nuno leaves or Noble having left the club).
“He has simply been in Dubai on holiday.”
Noble previously described how his role at West Ham works in reality.
Noble insisted on the Fozcast shortly after he took up the role in 2023 that he is involved with transfers, revealing he’s been assessing targets with the first team manager and his staff.
“Look sporting director is sometimes labelled as ‘you get players in for the first team’,” Noble told Ben Foster.
“(And) of course (that is the case), I was at the training ground yesterday looking at players (West Ham are thinking of signing) and having my opinion on that.
“But there’s no reason why I can’t do it with the academy as well.”
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