Former Hammers Coach Kevin Nolan Explains West Ham’s Summer Struggles
Kevin Nolan, former assistant coach of West Ham, believes he understands why the club is having a hard time securing new signings this summer. Nolan, who expressed a desire to stay with the Hammers, was not retained by new head coach Julen Lopetegui, despite fans’ pleas to keep him as a vital link between the supporters and the team.
When West Ham replaced David Moyes with Lopetegui, the Spaniard brought in sweeping changes. Many supporters felt it was crucial to retain Nolan to maintain a connection between the fans and the management, and to provide a bridge between the players and the head coach. However, Lopetegui rejected the idea of keeping Nolan in the setup.
West Ham’s Challenging Transfer Window
The club is undergoing significant staff changes and aims to overhaul its squad by making eight new signings. Technical director Tim Steidten and Lopetegui are leading this effort. However, with only three new signings and less than three weeks until the new season starts, fans are growing impatient. Concerns have been raised over the £40 million signing of Max Kilman, while the other two signings, Wes Foderingham and Luis Guilherme, are not expected to be first-team starters immediately.
Steidten has faced multiple setbacks, with numerous deals falling through and targets opting for other clubs. As a result, he is under pressure for the first time at West Ham.
The European Football Factor
Nolan attributes the difficulty in signing quality players to the lack of European football. West Ham enjoyed European competitions for three consecutive seasons but will miss out this time. Nolan highlighted this issue during a talkSPORT interview, using the example of Lucas Paqueta, who joined the club because of its European prospects.
“If we weren’t in Europe, he wouldn’t have come, and that is the be all and end all,” Nolan stated. “We got someone of his calibre and his quality to come to us and was able to produce the way he did, win us a trophy, and be in Europe last year.”
Other Clubs Managing Without Europe
West Ham seemed poised for another European qualification last season, sitting in the top six after a 2-0 win at Arsenal post-Christmas. However, the team’s performance faltered, and they finished ninth. Nolan has previously suggested that Moyes’ actions contributed to this decline.
Nolan acknowledges the challenge of attracting top talent without European football but points out that other clubs manage it. Teams like Crystal Palace, Brighton, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Everton have all made quality signings this summer without the lure of European competitions. This shows that it’s possible to attract young, talented players who aren’t yet on the radar of top clubs, despite not offering European football.
In conclusion, while the absence of European football is a significant factor, it should not be used as an excuse for West Ham’s struggles in the transfer market.
