West Ham United boss Graham Potter is under serious pressure after a torrid start to the Premier League season, and Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna has emerged as a reported candidate to replace the under-fire tactician.
Potter has recorded the second-worst win percentage of any West Ham boss in Premier League history since he took charge, with only the infamous tenure of Avram Grant overshadowing his poor record thus far.
Worst West Ham managers in the Premier League Win percentage
9. Sam Allardyce 30.7%
10. Julen Lopetegui 30%
11. Gianfranco Zola 27.8%
12, Graham Potter 27.3%
13. Avram Grant 18.9%
via StatMuse
Grant was in the dugout for West Ham's relegation at the end of 2010/2011, and was sacked hours after their drop to the Championship was confirmed. The Hammers would've rued their decision not to hire a replacement for the Israeli before they reached that point, and if they're not careful, history could be repeating itself with Potter.
Since the former Chelsea and Brighton boss took charge, West Ham have the worst Premier League record of any side apart from last season's relegated three, and only Grant's West Ham conceded more goals at this stage of the season than any other Irons side in the competition's history.
West Ham United manager Graham Potter before the match
West Ham United manager Graham Potter before the match
Potter watched on as his men were dismantled 3-0 by London rivals Tottenham in what was a dominant second half by the Lilywhites on Saturday, with goals from Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven rounding off a night to forget.
Tomas Soucek was also sent off for a desperate lunge on 54 minutes, so West Ham are expected to be without the Czech fan favourite for their crucial games against Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal through suspension.
These are matches which could well determine Potter's immediate future too, as reports suggest that David Sullivan and co are weighing up potential replacements for the 50-year-old.
Sullivan is personally a fan of Nuno Espirito Santo, according to journalist Alan Nixon, with the tactician also available for hire after being sacked by Nottingham Forest and replaced by Ange Postecoglou.
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard and José Mourinho have also been linked to the West Ham job, as has McKenna.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna
Wayne Veysey told Football Insider this week that McKenna was a guest of the West Ham boardroom during their 3-0 loss to Spurs last weekend, which will fuel speculation that the 39-year-old is a favourite for the role.
West Ham insider shares 11-word message on McKenna replacing Potter
However, according to West Ham insider Claret & Hugh, quoting their "top transfer source", it is believed that a move for McKenna is unlikely.
Sharing an 11-word message, the informant simply laughs off links to the Ipswich boss who guided the Tractor Boys to successive back-to-back promotions before they were relegated last season.
“That’s hilarious, where has that story come from? Not a chance.”
They were quick to dismiss McKenna as an option, but would that be a mistake by the West Ham board?
Why West Ham should consider Kieran McKenna
McKenna is young, ambitious and would likely seize the chance to make a return to the Premier League.
He seems to develop players, get the best from limited resources and maintain high standards, as evident by his rise through the lower leagues with Ipswich these last few years.
mckenna-ipswich-town
That kind of leadership could help reset morale at West Ham, unite the dressing room and stabilize performances. While McKenna suffered a relegation last campaign, the gap between the Premier League and Championship is crystal clear by the fact all three promoted teams have gone straight back down in each of the last two seasons.
If the board decide change is needed, McKenna appears ready for a step-up, especially considering he was once a reported managerial target for Tottenham and Chelsea.