NU BOSS MEET THE OLD BOSS

West Ham's Espirito Santo will come up against Moyes tonight, a man who brought success to the Hammers... although his style was not loved

- BY JOHN CROSS

HOW fitting that Nuno Espirito Santo’s first game in charge at West Ham is against David Moyes.

Everton boss Moyes was the manager to bring success to West Ham - and that was not enough for some of the fanbase.

But since Moyes’ departure in May 2024, the Hammers have tried a former Spain and Real Madrid boss, in Julen Lopetegui, and then a ‘project’ manager, in Graham Potter.

So, now they have gone back to basics with Nuno, a manager renowned for being defensive, sitting deep, and playing on the counter attack.

Nuno was brilliant for Wolves, led Nottingham Forest into Europe and yet failed horribly at Tottenham, a club which demands attacking, expansive football.

Nuno lasted only four months at Spurs, took charge of 17 games and, without doubt, that raised question marks about his ability to manage a top club.

Maybe they were answered at Forest, but this appointment smacks of a return to the values which served Moyes so well. Well-organised, strong, and, best of all, a European trophy when they won the Europa Conference League (above).