Newly-appointed West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo’s arrival is set to spark a significant shake-up of the Hammers squad, according to reports in the last few days.

West Ham planning to back new manager Nuno Espírito Santo in January

Vice-chairman Karren Brady was reportedly a key driving force in West Ham’s decision to hire Nuno, who swiftly jumped into Graham Potter’s shoes just hours after the east Londoners announced his departure.

Potter left Rush Green despite significant support from senior members of the West Ham squad (The Telegraph), and Nuno took West Ham training that same day as the Portuguese quickly got to work ahead of his debut clash in the dugout against Everton.

His first match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Jarrod Bowen’s excellently-taken equaliser cancelling out Michael Keane’s early opener — largely thanks to some impressive work down the left by summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Michael Keane

8.0

Max Kilman

7.3

Alphonse Areola

7.3

Jarrod Bowen

7.3

James Garner

7.1

via WhoScored

The latter is standing out as a shining light in an otherwise dismal season for West Ham so far, with members of the media already calling Malick Diouf one of the best finds of 2025/2026.

All signs suggest that the Senegal international could be a key player for Nuno, but West Ham are also prepared to bring in new January recruits to support the 51-year-old’s attempts to save the Irons’ season.

West Ham committed to a long-term deal with Nuno by agreeing a three-year contract, even if chairman David Sullivan was initially contemplating a reunion with former manager Slaven Bilic on an interim basis until the end of the season (Pete O’Rourke).

The club must go all in with their new manager, who guided Nottingham Forest back to Europe for the first time since 1995 last season, with West Ham apparently ready to make winter signings in the forward areas to back Nuno.

The ex-Tottenham and Wolves boss will already have a good idea of the players he wants out too.

Nuno caused a stir when he dropped midfielder James Ward-Prowse from the matchday squad against Everton.

The Englishman’s omission was solely Nuno’s tactical decision and not due to injury, with a report now shedding more light on his long-term future at the London Stadium.

James Ward-Prowse resigned to leaving West Ham after Nuno's arrival

According to GiveMeSport and reporter Andrew Dillon, Ward-Prowse is resigned to quitting West Ham in January after Nuno’s arrival, and the former Southampton star has already been told that he has no place in the new boss’ plans.

Nuno’s call to axe Ward-Prowse just two days after his appointment apparently sent “shockwaves” through the squad, but the 30-year-old has accepted his fate with professionalism with no behind-the-scenes bust-ups occurring.

Nuno briefly worked with the 11-cap England international at Forest, who signed on a season-long loan there at the start of 2024/2025, but they cut his temporary spell short midway through the season and sent him back to London.

Taking this into account, Nuno has clearly never fancied Ward-Prowse that much, with the player now poised to leave this winter in pursuit of a new club.

Ward-Prowse was a firm regular under Potter, and his threat from set-piece delivery was viewed as a prime reason why David Moyes brought him to Rush Green for £30 million in August 2023.

He’s just one free-kick goal away from equalling David Beckham’s Premier League record of 18, but that’s now unlikely to happen at West Ham.

Potter was always a fan of Ward-Prowse, even calling him a “quiet leader” in the team, but Nuno views the player very differently.

“He’s come from his loan spell where he wasn’t playing so much but his level in terms of his training and how he acts every day is of a top standard,” said Potter in April.

“That’s really helpful to the team and really helpful for the environment we want to create here.

“In midfield he brings a balance, a quality, and his set-pieces are very dangerous for us. He’s still getting to know how the team functions better and better but I’ve really enjoyed working with him.

“He’s not a ranter and raver, but he’s a quiet leader who leads by example. Every day he gives his absolute best and trains like it’s the last day of his career so he’s a fantastic role model for other players.”