West Ham United boss Graham Potter is facing consistent reports that his job is under threat following a poor start to the season, with a report now claiming that ex-Hammers midfielder Gary O’Neil is among the favourites for a quartet of key reasons.

The contenders to succeed Graham Potter at West Ham

Potter has overseen one of the worst starts to a season by any West Ham manager in Premier League history.

The Irons have conceded more goals than any other side in the top flight so far, conceding at least three goals in all of their defeats thus far, with a surprise 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest prior to the September internationals coming as their only saving grace.

This, combined with uninspired overall performances and the fact Potter has recorded West Ham’s second-worst managerial percentage since the Premier League’s inception, has put the 50-year-old in a very precarious position.

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

Some reports have claimed that Potter could even be sacked if West Ham suffer a defeat to Crystal Palace, but this remains to be seen.

It is, however, certain that David Sullivan and co are doing their due-diligence on potential replacements for the ex-Chelsea boss, and many interesting names have been mentioned by the press already.

Reliable sources indicate that West Ham have internally discussed Slaven Bilic, Nuno Espírito Santo and Sean Dyche as options (Ben Jacobs), with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna allegedly visiting the London Stadium last weekend too (Wayne Veysey).

Right now, it is believed that Bilic could be in pole position for the potential West Ham job, as Sullivan favours re-hiring the Croatian who was in charge of the club from 2015 to 2017 (Ben Jacobs).

Bilic guided them to the Europa League play-offs with a seventh-placed finish in his first season, but couldn’t replicate those heroics before being sacked by Sullivan in favour of David Moyes.

That being said, West Ham could also turn to O’Neil, even if that may not be too popular with supporters.

According to reliable journalist Miguel Delaney of The Independent, the ex-Wolves boss is actually one of the major contenders, and because of four key aspects of his potential hire.

The four reasons why West Ham could appoint Gary O'Neil

The 42-year-old, who is very much still in his infancy when it comes to managerial careers, lost the infamous ‘El Sackico’ clash to former West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui last term, but didn’t actually lose his job until a defeat to Ipswich.

Now, West Ham could turn to their former midfielder to replace Potter, and Delaney has revealed exactly why.

Firstly, O’Neil is “highly respected” within Premier League circles for his work at Wolves and Bournemouth, due to his brilliant job managing serious difficulties at both sides.

Secondly, the tactician has impressed through his ability to develop younger players whilst also getting the best out of senior squad members. Thirdly, O’Neil is a free agent (perhaps the most obvious draw where Sullivan is concerned).

And lastly, his time at West Ham during O’Neil’s playing days serves as another draw, as a connection is already there.

The coach has been called an “interesting” option and potential upgrade on Potter by certain members of the media (Graeme Bailey), but his hire would still come as a major gamble.

O’Neil has never managed a club with the expectations of West Ham, nor has he come close to European qualification — a place the east Londoners are desperate to get back to following Moyes’ heroics in charge.

However, nobody expected Moyes to perform the wonders he did before things turned sour, so it also wouldn’t be wise to completely write him off either.