Nuno Espirito Santo just seems to ‘get it’ at West Ham United, from the feelings of a frustrated fanbase to the importance of their award-winning Foundry.
The Hammers officially unveiled their Newham-based and revamped Foundation headquarters this week.
Nuno Espirito Santo was present, alongside long-serving midfielder Tomas Soucek, Women’s team manager Roshane Skinner, and vice-chair Karren Brady. The manager ‘honoured’ to be part of such an occasion.
So far, almost every word Nuno has said in the London Stadium dugout has captured the zeitgeist of a fanbase crying out for a manager not only capable of improving results, but one also capable of connecting with the East London faithful far more than predecessor Graham Potter ever did.
Nuno made reference to the ‘West Ham Way’ while pledging to build on the club’s tradition for promoting youth. Potter’s replacement made a ‘brilliant’ call when immediately bringing Freddie Potts back into the limelight, while also taking up the importance of repairing the connection between the club and a fanbase who have fallen out of love with their beloved outfit.
The opening of The Foundry, which promises to deliver programmes around ‘education, employment, physical and mental health and social inclusion’ to around 60,000 people annually, is certainly another step in the right direction.
Nuno Espirito Santo ‘honoured’ as he attends Foundry unveiling at West Ham United
The aforementioned Brady insists that the multi-million development is reflective of West Ham’s ‘community’ values.
Nuno, meanwhile, is delighted to be at the helm of a club willing to give back to the local area with the Hammers’ Foundation placing an emphasis on mental health and sporting activities for young children.
“I am honoured to be part of a club with the values of trying to help the community,” Nuno said. “I really believe that we should all be together, no matter where you come from.”
Richard Masters, the Premier League Chief Executive and Football Foundation trustee, believes that West Ham’s new facilities are up there with the most impressive anywhere in English football.
“As part of my job, I do get to go around and see other hubs, and this one is amongst the best I have seen,” Masters says in quotes reported by the club’s official website. “It’s absolutely fantastic.
“You just know that, over the next five to ten years, thousands of people are going to get a brilliant experience here. It’s going to change people’s lives.
“I know from experience, I’m a trustee of the Football Foundation as well, that when you put pitches down like this, and you invest in facilities like this, people will come and they’ll genuinely benefit from them.”
Richard Masters explains why The Foundry is ‘a brilliant thing’
Masters highlights the ‘educational, health and life skills benefits’ which will be provided for countless youngsters.
“We watched the [Player Pathway Under-12] girls play here, and the pitch is constantly in use. There is no shortage of return investment in it, and it’s a brilliant thing,” Masters added.
“If you think about West Ham United, you look at the connections with ownership who are from East London and the position the club has developed in the community, I think The Foundry is a physical manifestation of that. There’s a central commitment to support the community. Now, it’s bricks and mortar, and I think that’s a lovely story to tell.”
The family of David Gold, the former West Ham joint-chairman who passed away in 2023, were among the hundreds of guests present this week for the grand unveiling.
“It was nice to see them, and there’s an obvious connection between [Gold] family and The Foundry itself,” the Premier League CEO says. “So, it’s an emotional day, as well as a fantastic day for the community.
“And I just think it’s all part of a really strong story of the tale you can tell about investment West Ham are making, not just on the pitch, but off it as well.”
