Lucas Paquetá Reveals Graham Potter’s Mistake That Nuno Espírito Santo Has Corrected Immediately After Taking the Job

Lucas Paquetá Reveals Graham Potter’s Mistake That Nuno Espírito Santo Has Corrected After Taking the Job

When West Ham turned to Nuno Espírito Santo to steady the ship after parting ways with Graham Potter, many wondered how quickly the squad would adapt to a new voice in the dressing room. For Lucas Paquetá, however, the answer came almost immediately. The Brazilian playmaker has openly contrasted life under the two managers, highlighting what he believes was Potter’s biggest mistake and why Nuno has already begun to correct it.

Paquetá lifts the lid on Potter’s era

In candid comments after the managerial switch, Paquetá admitted that he and some teammates felt increasingly frustrated during Potter’s tenure. The midfielder suggested that Potter’s biggest shortcoming was a lack of conviction in his tactical approach, which left players unsure of their roles on the pitch.

🗣️ “Things are a lot different now. Under Potter, we often went into matches with doubts in our heads,” Paquetá revealed. “He was a good man and tried to implement ideas, but sometimes he would change his plan too often, even during a single game. We could feel that uncertainty. For a player, when you don’t know exactly what the manager wants from you, you start to hesitate instead of playing with freedom. That, for me, was the mistake that hurt us the most.”

The Brazilian admitted he could not express these concerns at the time, out of respect for Potter’s position as head coach. But with Nuno now in charge, he says there is a new clarity at the training ground and in match preparation.

Nuno’s immediate corrections

According to Paquetá, Nuno has wasted no time restoring confidence and direction. The ex-Wolves and Tottenham boss has placed emphasis on simplicity, structure, and accountability — three things Paquetá claims had gone missing in recent months.

🗣️ “Thanks to Nuno, we are in good shape now,” Paquetá continued. “He came in and told us, ‘I don’t want confusion. I want discipline, and I want you to play to your strengths.’ That was powerful. We now know our roles — whether you’re pressing high, holding position, or creating in the final third, there is no second-guessing. Everyone knows what they must do.”

Training sessions under Nuno have also reportedly been sharper and more focused. Paquetá described a renewed intensity that has lifted spirits across the squad:

🗣️ “He doesn’t let anyone drift through a session. If you switch off for a second, he calls you out. That kind of demand raises the level of everyone. I can honestly say it feels like a reset. The mistakes we made before were often because of lack of clarity, but now it’s black and white. You either do your job, or you don’t play.”

A message to the fans

Perhaps most importantly, Paquetá has delivered a message of reassurance to West Ham fans who have endured a turbulent period. He believes that while the transition was difficult, the squad is mentally stronger under Nuno’s leadership and ready to bounce back.

🗣️ “I couldn’t say it then because Potter was the manager and he had every right to lead how he wanted. But now, with Nuno, we feel alive again,” Paquetá said. “We know the fans have suffered, but we promise them things will look different. Football is about trust, and right now we trust the manager completely. That will show on the pitch soon.”

Looking ahead

West Ham supporters are eager to see if Paquetá’s optimism translates into results. The Premier League schedule offers little breathing room, but with Nuno’s tactical discipline and a squad seemingly united behind him, there is genuine belief that the Hammers can recover from their rocky start.

For Lucas Paquetá, the message is simple: a manager’s clarity can make or break a season. Under Potter, he says, the lack of direction held them back. Under Nuno, the clarity is back — and with it, the hope of resurgence.