West Ham boss Graham Potter is in a race against time to prove that he is indeed the right man for the Irons hot seat, with crucial Premier League games against Everton and Arsenal poised to determine his future.

Graham Potter handed potential West Ham sack timeline

The 50-year-old has retained some faith from the board, at least for now, but bad results in their next two fixtures could prove disastrous for Potter.

After losing four of their five opening Premier League games, whilst also being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Wolves, Potter is dangerously close to losing his job, with ExWHUemployee reporting that he could be sacked after their visit to the Emirates Stadium.

This would give any new manager a full international break to settle in, assess and prepare for West Ham’s home clash against Brentford on October 20, and there are many potential options on David Sullivan’s shortlist.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12 Graham Potter

26.1%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Nuno Espírito Santo is West Ham’s leading managerial contender as things stand, with Slaven Bilic, Gary O’Neil, Scott Parker, Sean Dyche, Marco Silva, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick all mentioned as candidates as well.

Interestingly, West Ham players are actually still behind Potter, with senior members of the squad telling friends and family members that the 50-year-old should be kept on to steady the ship and transform their fortunes (The Telegraph).

However, the numbers don’t make for pretty reading.

West Ham have conceded more Premier League goals than any other side in the top flight so far, with seven of their 13 concessions coming from dead balls, and that is entirely on Potter to resolve – or relegation is a very strong possibility.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira isn’t faring much better at Molineux either, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, super agent Jorge Mendes discussed his potential West Ham appointment with vice-chairman Karren Brady recently.

Jorge Mendes held West Ham talks with Karren Brady over Vitor Pereira

Speaking to Hammers News, the reporter claims thatMendes and Brady spoke about Pereira joining West Ham, before the£2 million-per-yearboss put pen to paper on a new contract.

The 57-year-old, whilst seriously struggling to get Wolves off the mark this season with five league defeats from five, did oversee a remarkable Molineux turnaround last season.

After replacing O’Neil, Wolves picked up 29 points from their next 17 league games under Pereira’s tutelage — steering them well clear of the drop zone by April. In that time period, only five other Premier League sides picked up more points than Wolves (Transfermarkt).

Pereira stamped his authority early doors — cancelling their Christmas party, stripping Mario Lemina of the captaincy, simplifying their tactics and demanding more from his under-performing squad.

Taking this into account, his appeal to Brady was clear at the time, but with the tactician since committing his future, West Ham will now have to look elsewhere.

Nuno, given his free agent status and excellent work at Nottingham Forest, is the obvious choice.