Nuno Espírito Santo has expressed his deep concern regarding West Ham United's current situation after their recent 2-1 defeat at Leeds United. The loss, which took place on Friday, October 24, 2025, has left the Hammers languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League table.
West Ham's struggles were evident from the start of the match, with Leeds scoring twice in the first 15 minutes. Brenden Aaronson capitalized on a rebound after West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola parried Noah Okafor's header in the third minute. Joe Rodon then added a second, heading home from Sean Longstaff's corner in the 15th minute. While Mateus Fernandes managed to pull a goal back for West Ham in the final minute, it proved to be a mere consolation.
Santo, who took over as West Ham's head coach at the end of September 2025, has yet to secure a win in his first four games. The team's poor start to the season, with only one win in nine Premier League matches, has exacerbated the manager's worries. He admitted to being concerned since his arrival and acknowledged the significant challenge ahead in keeping the club in the Premier League.
"I'm worried since I arrived, so it's not something that surprises me," Santo stated. "We are worried, but we are committed and embrace the challenge that we have ahead – it's a big one, a big, big one".
Santo was particularly unimpressed with the way his team conceded the early goals against Leeds. He emphasized the need for his players to show more desire in defending their goal and preventing opponents from scoring. "We started the game very bad again, very bad," Santo said. He further demanded more "commitment, focus and responsibility" from his players.
The manager also acknowledged the frustration and disappointment felt by the West Ham supporters, who rightly expect more from their team. He vowed to continue working and pushing his players to produce better performances and results. "It's up to us to change things. It's up to us to deserve their support," Santo affirmed.
Reflecting on the game, Santo pointed out that West Ham is being punished for mistakes that they are aware of. While crediting their opponents, he believes that his team is often the cause of their own defeats. "We have to give credit to the teams [who beat us] but I truly believe that we are the ones that are losing the games. We are the ones that are making the mistakes. We are the ones that we should blame ourselves".
Looking ahead, Santo stressed the importance of addressing the team's home form and creating a different atmosphere at the London Stadium. He believes that connecting with the fans and providing them with something to enjoy is crucial. "We must solve it; we must solve it now," he declared.
West Ham's next match is against Newcastle United in early November. Santo and his team face a significant task in turning their season around and alleviating the worries surrounding the club's Premier League status.
