Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has made it clear that the club's Premier League survival is paramount, regardless of who is at the helm.
With the team teetering in the relegation zone following a heavy defeat to Everton and facing West Ham next, O’Neil, who stepped in as manager last August, faces speculation about his future.
When Wolves face West Ham, it is widely expected the losing team's manager could lose their job with Julen Lopetegui also under huge pressure at the London Stadium.
However, O’Neil remains focused on the bigger picture for the club. Speaking ahead of the crucial clash, he said: "I always think of it from the football club’s point of view because... I’m not sure the best way to explain it, but it’s not about me.
"Wolverhampton Wanderers needs to stay in the Premier League regardless of whether there are seven managers in this season or whether it’s me that takes it the whole way through.
"We need to find a way to keep this football club in the Premier League, that’s all that matters. Monday’s game will obviously feel huge, as Wednesday night’s did, as Bournemouth did, as Fulham did, as Southampton did.
"The whole while that we’re in and around the relegation zone, we’re going to be asked the same question for every single game, and of course Monday will feel huge. But then on Tuesday, the next game is going to feel huge to the football club."
The Wolves manager has vowed to put in every effort to prepare his squad for the challenges ahead, stating: "All I can do is make sure that the players are in the best place possible to give their best, and I guarantee that every moment that I’m here, I’ll work as hard as possible to make sure that the lads are in the right place to go again."
Despite a tough start to the season with only nine points from 14 games, a recent uptick in form last month has sparked some hope. Yet, following a loss at Goodison Park and a home defeat by Bournemouth, the upcoming match at the London Stadium looms large.
O’Neil, who will have Nelson Semedo back from suspension, acknowledged the quality of the opposition: "When you look at the amount of attacking talent that they have, what they’ve been able to add, it’s an unbelievably talented group that we have to go and face on Monday, and that’s the size of the challenge that we need to stand up to."
He also noted West Ham's potential despite their struggles: "They’ve been in some poor form, of course they have, but they go away to Leicester and have 30-odd shots, so they have something there to work with."