West Ham told they missed chance to appoint Jose Mourinho as manager - but Nuno Espirito Santo was best choice after Special One following Graham Potter sacking

Jose Mourinho Benfica 2025-26

West Ham have been told that they missed their chance to sign Jose Mourinho as their head coach, but they have signed the next best option in Nuno Espirito Santo, who has replaced Graham Potter at the helm. The Hammers made a disastrous start to the 2025-26 campaign as they lost four out of their first five Premier League matches and were languishing in 19th position.

Nuno replaced Potter after terrible start to new season

Days after his sacking as Nottingham Forest boss, Nuno Espirito Santo returned to the Premier League as he replaced Potter at West Ham. The 51-year-old's stock was at an all-time high after he marshalled Forest to a seventh-placed finish in the top tier last term, while they flirted with Champions League qualification for much of the campaign. Ironically, the Portuguese's last game in charge of the club was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Potter's Hammers at the City Ground.

Jose Mourinho Benfica Champions League 2025-26

Mourinho was linked with West Ham job

After Fenerbahce parted ways with Mourinho at the start of the season, the legendary manager was briefly linked with a move to West Ham as they continued to struggle under Potter. However, by the time the club actually sacked the English coach, Mourinho was no longer available as he returned to his homeland and took charge of Benfica. 

West Ham told Nuno was next best option after Mourinho

Speaking to Paddy Power, former West Ham and England star Joe Cole said of Nuno's likelihood of reaching Europe with his new side: "Well, I don't think it'd be a European spot, but to safety, certainly. I think he'll do a good job. I don't believe the way that the club handled or treated Graham Potter was correct. But unfortunately, it seems to be par for the course for not just West Ham, but a lot of football clubs. The way that head coaches are sort of up there with a target on their back, with not as much control as you probably need to implement your vision. And Graham Potter can certainly walk away from that club and say, 'I didn't get the time, I didn't get the backing.' 

"Nuno coming in, on the other hand, I think, is a very smart appointment by the club. I think he’s the right man. Once Joseph Mourinho wasn't available, I would have probably gone for Nuno - Nuno or Sean Dyche. Someone who understands the league, and somebody who was very strong in the areas that West Ham needed to improve - the defensive unit, defending set pieces. So, Nuno or Sean Dyche - it would have been a pick between those two for me."

Nuno Espirito Santo Nottingham Forest 2025

Nuno's difficult start to life at West Ham

Despite Nuno's arrival at the club, West Ham are yet to end their winless run. In his first match in charge, the Hammers held Everton to a 1-1 draw, but went down 2-0 against Arsenal last weekend. The club will hope that they register their second win of the season after the international break when they take on Brentford on October 20.