NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO is leaving West Ham’s training ground when he notices a large crowd of children accompanied by their parents gathered at the gates.

They are holding shirts, balls, and autograph books, eagerly wishing to meet their favorite players.

The Hammers manager has his chauffeur stop before stepping out of the car to greet at least 50 fans, dedicating around 20 minutes to ensure every autograph is signed and every selfie is taken.

This touching moment occurred during the school summer holidays amidst a heatwave, which reminded me of something Neil Warnock once shared with me.

As a child, the legendary boss and lifelong Sheffield United supporter once braved the pouring rain at Bramall Lane, just like those young West Ham fans — only to be SNUBBED by his idols.

This experience drove him to always make time for the fans and to encourage his players to do the same.

Nuno reflected: “Neil was right. He suffered as a child and made sure not to repeat that mistake. I will strive to avoid making that mistake as well.

“At times it’s simply not feasible to meet everyone, and when that occurs, I always feel regret.

“Our fans will wait for hours, and we cannot disregard the effort they make just for a simple photo. It’s all about respect.”

That single word — RESPECT — serves as the fundamental principle behind everything Nuno does at West Ham.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS

This attitude shapes how he engages with supporters, manages underperforming players, and tackles the Championship challenges ahead.

Nuno believes that his main responsibility is to enhance individual players, recognizing that this improvement triggers a significant chain reaction throughout the entire club.

He stated: “It’s not about the methods or what you plan to implement if you lack the right personnel. Tactical labels don’t concern me in the slightest.

“The focus should be on how to maximize the potential of each player.

“If I can elevate them as individuals, the team will benefit, and the club will thrive.”

This individual-centric approach makes selecting his matchday squad the most challenging part of his job.

Nuno understands that leaving a prominent player out leaves them grappling with self-doubt.

He confessed: “It’s incredibly tough. Making decisions that significantly impact players’ personal lives as well as their professional careers is heartbreaking.

“Everyone aims for the same objective — to wear the shirt on matchday.

“Our decisions can instill a lot of doubt in a player. They might start questioning their worth: ‘Perhaps the coach doesn’t favor me. What more can I do?’

“This is a sensitive space to navigate. Each player is a unique individual with distinct character, background, and mindset.”

To manage these delicate emotions, Nuno relies on honesty and transparency.

He added: “My approach revolves around honesty, truth, and respect.

“As long as you strive to ensure they comprehend the rationale behind decisions, they will acknowledge the difficulties we face in making choices.”

While Nuno maintains a composed surface, he admits to moments of intense frustration when standards decline.

Yet, even during his most tumultuous moods, respect dictates his interactions with players.

Nuno smiled: “Of course, I experience anger! Really, really intense anger! I have good days and bad days.

“However, I firmly believe that silence holds significant value because you have to understand that it’s not about you.

“It’s about who you’re directing your poor mood towards.”

Nuno channels that emotional intensity into creating joy for the West Ham supporters.

The Hammers manager has been amazed by the exceptional support the club has garnered in the Championship, currently averaging a staggering 60,882 fans. To put things in perspective, only Manchester United has a higher average attendance in the whole of Britain.

However, with such impressive numbers comes a blend of diverse opinions and chatter on social media.

Nuno addressed this: “It’s impossible to ignore the noise from our fans. It resonates on the streets and in the stands.

“How can I bring satisfaction to our supporters? Through solid performances and favorable results.

“I draw upon all my strength and energy to achieve that.”

The Irons will face promotion contenders Southampton at the London Stadium this weekend, remaining unbeaten in their past nine league matches.

They steamrolled Lincoln 6-0 away before securing a 1-0 win against the early leaders Swansea last weekend.

Nuno, named September’s SkyBet Championship manager of the month, asserts that his squad cannot afford even a moment of complacency.

Despite the honors, the Portuguese manager maintains that his team hasn’t yet reached the level he envisions.

Nuno confessed: “It’s gratifying to hear compliments, but I believe we must raise our game.

“There are several facets of our play that require significant improvement. We need to acknowledge that our league start hasn’t met our aspirations.

“This league is one of the most perilous if you start believing you’ve mastered it.

“It’s a challenging competition with a demanding schedule — and you encounter some quality opposition.”

Coventry seemed poised to stride ahead last season before getting pulled back by Middlesbrough, although they ultimately clinched the title.

Nuno insists West Ham must respect the league if they are to achieve an immediate return to the Premier League.

The Irons were winless in their first three fixtures — even suffering a home defeat to Charlton.

Nuno remarked: “We’ve managed to respond and the significant challenge now is to persevere and resist the temptation to assume it’s all settled because it’s not.

“This spell of good form is merely a small fragment of the season — there remain so many more matches and hurdles ahead.”

That commitment extends to his three-year contract, as he chose not to abandon ship following the summer relegation.

He stated: “Upon my arrival at the club, I signed for three years.

“I firmly believe that signing implies commitment, and this is my pledge.”

The former Porto goalkeeper Nuno leverages his background and advanced drone footage to devise West Ham’s strategies.

Despite celebrating 30 goals in 11 matches, he maintains that strong defense is where true control lies.

Nuno explained: “My time as a goalkeeper provided me with immense insight.

“Today, I enjoy utilizing drone footage as it clarifies space and gaps, both defensively and offensively — offering players a more coherent understanding. This is information often missed from touchline observations.

“Success stems from organization. If you secure a clean sheet, you’re invariably close to winning.”

Nuno insists that his manager of the month accolade belongs to the entire club as they strive for promotion.

He concluded: “This isn’t solely my award, it’s a collective recognition. Everyone here is committed, skilled, and shares the same ambition — to return to the Premier League.”