Nuno Espírito Santo On The Brink: West Ham Dressing Room Losing Faith As Relegation Fears Grow

‎West Ham United is facing a crisis that extends far beyond the Premier League table.

‎After Saturday’s damaging 3-0 defeat to Wolves, a team that had not won a league match all season, the mood inside the London Stadium has darkened to its lowest point of the campaign. With results spiralling and internal tensions rising, Nuno Espírito Santo’s position is becoming increasingly fragile.

‎Appointed in September as the successor to Graham Potter, Nuno was expected to stabilise a fractured squad and steer the Hammers clear of danger.

‎Instead, he has managed only two wins in 15 games, leaving the club four points adrift in 18th place and intensifying concerns that West Ham are heading for their first relegation since 2011.

‎The threat is real but what is unfolding behind the scenes is perhaps even more worrying.

‎A Dressing Room Disconnect

‎Multiple sources have expressed alarm at how Nuno’s man-management has deteriorated since his arrival.

‎Described by several insiders as “distant” and “uncommunicative”, the Portuguese coach has reportedly struggled to build even basic trust with parts of the squad. Some players claim he has barely spoken to them since taking charge.

‎Training sessions have become a source of frustration. Confusing tactical instructions, inconsistent team selections, and a perceived lack of clear communication have led to falling morale and a sense among players that they have no roadmap back into the manager’s plans.

‎The issues have also spilled onto the pitch. At times this season, Nuno has fielded full-backs on the wrong side, and his decision to start games without a recognised striker, notably in defeats to Leeds and Brentford in October, raised serious questions about tactical coherence.

‎Further confusion emerged as West Ham faded in matches after defensive substitutions appeared to disrupt their shape and intensity.

‎For a squad already low on confidence, these decisions have only widened the disconnect.

‎Ward-Prowse Saga Highlights Cracks in Trust

‎One of the most contentious decisions concerns James Ward-Prowse, who has not featured in a single matchday squad since Nuno’s appointment.

‎The midfielder endured a difficult loan spell under Nuno at Nottingham Forest last season, and many within the club believe past tensions may have contributed to his sudden exclusion.

‎Ward-Prowse, 31, is vastly experienced, widely respected, and considered valuable for his leadership yet has been completely sidelined.

‎For some teammates, this has become symbolic of deeper issues in the manager’s man-management approach.

‎A Board Reluctant but Not Ready to Pull the Trigger

‎Despite the intensifying pressure, West Ham’s ownership remains hesitant to make another managerial change in what has already been a chaotic season.

‎Sacking Nuno would mark their second dismissal of the campaign, adding to the sense of instability and potentially further complicating their relegation battle.

‎Crucially, the board has backed him in the transfer market. Recent signings, including Pablo from Gil Vicente (£18.3m + add-ons), Taty Castellanos from Lazio (£26.1m), and the expected arrival of Adama Traoré (£7m), were all pursued at Nuno’s request.

‎The club views this as evidence that, structurally, they have already committed heavily to his vision.

‎This alignment makes a sudden managerial switch both costly and strategically disruptive, especially given concerns that a potential replacement like Slaven Bilić would require a different player profile and recruitment overhaul.

‎For now, the message from the hierarchy is caution but alarm bells are ringing loudly.

‎A Breaking Point Performance against Wolves

‎The 3-0 loss to Wolves felt like more than a bad day it felt like a turning point. West Ham failed to register a single shot on target, looked bereft of confidence, and showed minimal response even after going three goals down.

‎Insiders say Nuno’s half-time team talk was notably subdued, with players sensing little urgency or motivation from the bench.

‎For many supporters, watching Wolves dismantle West Ham after their own winless run confirmed that performances are regressing rather than improving.

‎For a fanbase already disillusioned with ownership, this latest setback deepened the frustration.

‎Upcoming Fixtures Could Define Nuno’s Fate

‎Nuno is entering a pivotal stretch of fixtures that could ultimately determine his future.

‎First up is Nottingham Forest in the Premier League a crucial match against his former club and potentially his last chance to regain momentum.

‎Next is Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup a cup tie that carries pressure even though it isn’t part of the league. Then there’s Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League a difficult London derby that will test both the squad’s spirit and Nuno’s standing.

‎If he fails to secure points or at least show significant improvement, the board could be forced to make the very decision they have tried to avoid.