Nuno Espirito Santo has responded to being overlooked by Harry Kane during the England striker’s Ballon d’Or acceptance speech, insisting he does not believe it was malicious.

The West Ham manager became an unlikely talking point during Monday night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony after Harry Kane thanked a long list of former managers and coaches who had influenced his career but failed to mention Nuno Espirito Santo.

Kane, who became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the prestigious award, paid tribute to an impressive collection of figures, including his former managers at West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur including Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

But there was no mention of Nuno, despite the Portuguese having managed Kane during his brief spell in charge of Tottenham Hotspur in 2021.

Nuno responds to Harry Kane snub

As Hammers News previously highlighted, Kane actually played nine matches under Nuno, scoring once, before the manager was dismissed after just 17 games in charge.

The omission attracted considerable attention, with some suggesting Kane may have taken exception to Nuno refusing to give an answer when asked by journalists last week who he thought should win the Ballon d’Or.

There is no evidence that the two incidents were connected, however, and Nuno has now made his feelings on the matter perfectly clear.

The West Ham boss was asked at his latest press conference whether he felt hurt by being left out of Kane’s acceptance speech and whether he believed the omission was ‘malicious’.

Given the difficult week Nuno has endured following West Ham’s damaging 3-2 defeat to Southampton and the subsequent criticism from Hammers supporters, it was another awkward moment for the Portuguese.

But his response was measured and gracious.

“Fantastic for Harry, we are delighted he achieved it, well deserved, wish him all the best,” Nuno said before being asked about the omission.

West Ham boss classy over Kane despite difficult week

“Not at all, not at all,” he replied when asked whether he was disappointed or felt the omission was malicious.

“What I am happy about is that Harry has achieved what he has achieved in his career, it was a pleasure to work with him and I wish him all the best for his future.”

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Tomas Soucek of West Ham United celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's fifth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Lincoln City and West Ham United at the Gelder Group Sincil Bank Stadium in Lincoln, on October 14, 2026.

The Kane episode has been another unwelcome distraction for Nuno after West Ham’s defeat to Southampton intensified calls for the club to consider his future.

The Hammers were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium, with their defensive shortcomings and sluggish start prompting fresh criticism of the manager’s tactics and approach.

The Portuguese has also faced questions over his position following reports linking the club with potential replacements, although West Ham have backed Nuno in a Hammers News exclusive and insisted they remain confident he will deliver promotion.

To make matters worse for Nuno, Niclas Fullkrug, who he shipped out of the club in the summer, leads Kane in the Bundesliga scoring charts this season with 11 goals already.

The irony is that Kane’s omission has provided another talking point at a time when the Portuguese would much rather be concentrating on getting West Ham’s season back on track.

However, Nuno has refused to make an issue of it or give his usual straight bat answers.

Whether Kane deliberately overlooked his former Tottenham manager or simply failed to include him among the many people he wanted to thank, the West Ham boss clearly has no intention of turning it into a personal dispute.