"Graham Potter still turned up for work on Saturday morning, even though there was no work left for him to do. A team meeting was arranged, at which Potter announced to general bewilderment that he had been sacked. Potter left. Training was delayed because nobody was available to take it. Eventually the new coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, arrived on site and hastily began preparations for the Everton game on Monday."
"Perhaps on reflection it was inevitable that West Ham United's big set-piece appointment went the same way many of their set pieces have gone this season. We're not West Ham any more, disgruntled fans have been chanting at recent protests against the club's ownership, but consider the evidence. A bungled sacking. A fiesta of contradictory leaks and briefings. Chaotic performances on the pitch. A vacuum of leadership and direction. Catastrophic recruitment. An early relegation battle. Fans in open revolt."
"In many ways Nuno is the perfect manager for the current shambles, which is not entirely a compliment. Nuno will sort out the leaky defence, inject some energy in midfield, get the team running as a unit, put some points on the board, turn a diplomatic cheek to the foibles around him and extravagances above him. He will not become a faceswap meme. He will not go on Monday Night Football to point at a large television and explain what a genius he is."
Graham Potter was abruptly dismissed after turning up for work; a team meeting revealed his sacking, leaving training delayed until Nuno Espirito Santo arrived to prepare for the Everton game. The club has experienced bungled decisions, contradictory leaks, chaotic on-field performances, and a vacuum of leadership. Recruitment has been catastrophic and fans have protested loudly, chanting against ownership and displaying banners referencing past eras. Nuno is expected to shore up defence, add midfield energy, and secure short-term results without offering a broader footballing vision or long-term mission. The club faces existential questions despite potential short-term improvement.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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