Graham Potter is under huge pressure to turn things around at West Ham and a number of managers are being linked as potential replacements if he can’t.
Hammers News exclusive
Pundits, journalists and a growing number of fans are increasingly convinced West Ham will be relegated this season.
The Premier League is already proving to be as fiercely competitive as many expected this season.
Getting to 40 points used to be the benchmark for survival – and early data suggests that kind of figure may be required this season.
So West Ham’s dismal start to the new campaign is deeply concerning.
Graham Potter won just five of his 19 games in charge last season.
Despite a full pre-season together with some of his own signings, this term things look even worse for Potter and the Hammers.
West Ham face relegation unless Potter can turn things around
Four defeats from the opening five games leaves West Ham in the bottom three of the fledgling Premier League table and out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle.
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West Ham’s defensive record over the last two seasons has been abysmal.
The Hammers shipped a club record 74 goals in David Moyes’ final season.
Under Julen Lopetegui and Potter, West Ham conceded another 62 last term.
This season West Ham continue to ship goals at an increasingly alarming rate of just under three per game.
With just six wins from 24 games in charge since he arrived in January, Potter is understandably facing huge pressure.
Hammers fans were seething with Potter’s team selection and tactics in the meek surrender to bitter rivals Spurs at the weekend.
West Ham head coach Graham Potter holds his hands to his head in disbelief
Credit: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
While supporters are campaigning to force the owners out – or at least into making major changes – Potter is not escaping his share of the blame.
Match of the Day pundits think Potter’s time at West Ham may be up soon following the defeat to Tottenham.
West Ham have added Nuno Espirito Santo to their list as a potential replacement for Potter should results not improve.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has been linked with the Hammers too.
A leading external source has also claimed Graham Potter’s West Ham future will be in the balance if the Hammers lose to Crystal Palace, who will be no pushovers as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 17 games at the London Stadium.
The 3-0 win at Forest gave hope that Potter could turn things around.
Ex-boss an ‘interesting option’ for West Ham if Potter is sacked
But the nature of the reverse to Spurs by the same score has reignited relegation fears.
West Ham’s owners make shock statement on the future of under-pressure Potter ahead of the Palace game.
Results will clearly have to improve dramatically if West Ham are to stay in the top flight.
Dropping down into the Championship does not bear thinking about.
Especially with West Ham having already warned £100m plus losses are looming in their December accounts.
Relegation could also prove hugely detrimental to fan hopes of a takeover.
Former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic shares a laugh with Hammers legend Mark Noble, now sporting director
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Unless things improve on the pitch, there will clearly come a time the board have to make a decision on the manager.
And Hammers News has been told not to rule out the surprise return of a former manager.
Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey says ex-boss Slaven Bilic is an ‘interesting option’ for West Ham if Potter is sacked.
Bilic will forever be fondly remembered for leading West Ham during their unforgettable Farewell Boleyn campaign.
Things were difficult for Bilic when the Hammers moved to the London Stadium.
Not least because the investment in the playing squad was nowhere near what was promised when West Ham were luring fans away from Upton Park.
Bailey claims Bilic and David Sullivan, who would ultimately make the final call on the next manager should that situation arise, ‘respect one another’.
Out-of-work Bilic could be considered for Hammers return
Some may feel appointing Bilic, who has not worked since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fateh last season, would be a backwards step.
Others might like the idea of bringing back Bilic’s passion and energy.
Whatever one’s stance, Bailey says it should not be ruled out as a possibility based on what he has been told, especially given how poorly Potter’s reign is unfolding in east London.
“Slaven Bilic would present an interesting option for West Ham, should he be the option,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“He has a good history with the club, he knows how to work with David Sullivan and they respect each other.
“Sullivan has created an issue, although badly misguided by the appointment of Graham Potter, and they need to get this club back on track to keep them up.
“Let’s not beat around the bush – West Ham are in big trouble and relegation is unthinkable and could set the club back years. That can’t happen.
“The club have been doing due diligence on potential options since the summer, and there are a number of interesting ones besides Bilic – Nuno, (Sean) Dyche, (Gary) O’Neil – maybe not a host that West Ham fans would want, but certainly they could be an upgrade on their current situation.”