adminWest Ham’s Dramatic Turnaround: Assistant Coach Paco Jémez Reveals Morale Was “Worse Than Ibiza” Before Remarkable Revival
West Ham United’s assistant coach Paco Jémez has provided a candid and eye-opening assessment of the club’s dire situation earlier this season, admitting that the atmosphere and morale at the London Stadium were even lower than what he encountered during his previous role at struggling Spanish side UD Ibiza.
In a recent interview with Diario de Ibiza (translated and reported via Sport Witness and FourFourTwo), the 55-year-old Spaniard, who joined West Ham as a first-team coach under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo in January 2026, didn’t hold back when reflecting on the challenges he faced upon arrival.
“West Ham’s situation was even worse than what I found in Ibiza,” Jémez stated. “What we’ve done in so few matches is no easy feat in such a competitive league.”
Jémez, a former manager with experience at clubs like Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas, Granada, and more recently Ibiza (where he worked until late 2025), emphasized that the issues ran far deeper than tactics or formations.
“More than tactical issues, the first thing was to change the dynamic and the morale, which was very low. Not only of the players, but also of everyone involved,” he explained. “We had to bring joy, make training sessions more dynamic, and get the team to play with less pressure. Little by little, the team has been finding a different rhythm.”
The Spaniard’s comments come amid a noticeable upturn in West Ham’s fortunes. Having flirted with relegation danger for much of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign—lagging significantly behind safer mid-table sides—the Hammers have clawed their way back into contention for survival. Jémez highlighted the scale of the recovery in other remarks, noting how the team has closed substantial gaps on rivals like Tottenham and Leeds in recent matches, reaching a point where morale is now “sky-high” ahead of tough fixtures, including a recent draw against Manchester City.
Recent results underscore this shift:
- A hard-fought 1-1 draw at home to title-chasing Manchester City on March 14, 2026, where West Ham held firm and frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side.
- Progression to the FA Cup quarter-finals following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Brentford on March 9, 2026 (after a 2-2 draw), marking their first last-eight appearance in a decade.
Jémez’s arrival in January was seen as a key move by Nuno Espírito Santo, who reportedly sought external help to address West Ham’s precarious position. The former Deportivo teammate brings a contrasting energy and vocal presence to the backroom staff—qualities he has openly embraced, stating he was brought in “not to be silent” but to offer honest input.
Fans and observers have credited this psychological reset for injecting renewed confidence and fight into the squad. While results remain gritty rather than glamorous, the collective mood has transformed from one of despair to determination.
As West Ham approaches the business end of the season, Jémez’s words serve as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football when morale is prioritized. The Hammers are no longer just surviving—they’re rebuilding with belief.
With pivotal Premier League matches on the horizon, including clashes that could define their top-flight status, the impact of this “behind-the-scenes” revival under Nuno and Jémez could prove decisive.
admin
