Nuno Espirito Santo lasted just four months as Tottenham Hotspur manager in 2021 and is now set to return to north London as West Ham United boss
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has already made his feelings clear on Tottenham Hotspur as he prepares to face his former club.
The Portuguese will lead the Hammers in a Premier League London derby visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He was appointed West Ham head coach last September, less than four years after being sacked by Spurs after just 17 matches in charge.
The 51-year-old’s tenure in north London began with four wins in five games but soon fell apart as Antonio Conte was brought in to replace him. Nuno, however, landed on both feet and beat Spurs twice in three matches after taking charge of Nottingham Forest.
Now, he is set to return to N17, this time desperately in search of three points with the Irons down in 18th in the Premier League table and seven points off 17th place Forest.
And he may well receive a hostile reception from his former supporters as he attempts to guide his relegation-threatened side to safety.
That’s despite the manager having been complimentary towards Spurs since his brief yet turbulent spell with the Lilywhites. He was asked last season whether Forest’s win over Tottenham was motivated by revenge, which he quickly dismissed.
Nuno said he was grateful for the opportunity to manage Tottenham despite the challenges of his tenure, making his thoughts clear in seven words: “I was honoured to be managing Tottenham,” before adding: “A huge, big club. I wish them the best.”
In a move that may be at odds with some of his new supporters, he doubled down in his praise for Spurs ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
“It was an honour and pleasure to manage Spurs,” he again said. “Things didn't go well.
“It is the third game in a row where we face clubs where I have managed before. Nothing changes, it's a new game, tough opponent, in a tough place, and we so need a good result. Our focus is there.”