Former Palace Owner Jordan: Nuno is a Tough Challenge; Top Six Teams Aren’t Suited for Him

Ex-Crystal Palace proprietor Simon Jordan expresses confidence in Nuno Espirito Santo’s capabilities, yet casts doubt on whether the coach will secure a position with a top six team in the Premier League going forward.

Nuno is currently without a club following his termination by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

Reflecting on Nuno’s tenure in England, Jordan commented on talkSPORT: “The dynamics are intriguing, as it is essential that the style of the club aligns with what Nuno offers. His stint at Spurs was not a match, leading to his early dismissal.”

“Nuno is fascinating in that he achieves success in his methods. However, he is a complex character, almost politically savvy in his approach.”

“This isn’t about his political views but rather his ability to navigate his circumstances in clever ways, which doesn’t always resonate well with everyone.”

“He may have lost the patience of Wolves, but he did manage to assemble a capable team that excelled in rising from the Championship and performed adequately in the Premier League’s initial seasons.”

“He created a strong squad leveraging players like the dynamic winger (Adama) Traore, who was highly effective, alongside (Ruben) Neves and others, benefiting from the Portuguese connections through agent Jorge Mendes.”

A Complex Character

Jordan remarked, “However, he can indeed be a challenging character. People may perceive him differently, but as a coaching figure, it’s clear that Nuno Espirito Santo works effectively at a high standard, specifically with clubs that embrace a certain playing style.”

“Yet, there’s also a side of him that tends to pose challenges. So, where might he go from here?

“Is he deserving of another chance in the Premier League? Absolutely, there’s no doubt about that; it simply relies on the right club aligning with him.”

“But do I see him as a fit for a top six team? Not particularly. It’s not personal; I just don’t think he possesses what’s needed to manage at that level.”

“Considering the current top managers and the profiles expected, like Ruben Amorim who is viewed as capable of leading a top club, it’s hard to predict what the model entails these days.”

“Nuno had his opportunity at Spurs, which didn’t materialize, and it’s not just because of Daniel Levy and Spurs; he was let go rather swiftly.”