NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO is open to a swift return to management with West Ham should Graham Potter be axed.
The Hammers board are weighing up whether to sack Potter after just eight months following a horror start to the season.
No final decision has been made on the former Chelsea and Brighton manager’s future, but many internally are pushing for a change.
Nuno, 51, has been sounded out as a potential successor to Potter and is keen on a move to the London Stadium having only been sacked by Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
However, the Portuguese boss’ wage demands could be out of reach for West Ham on top of compensation for Potter and his coaching staff.
Head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay would likely leave with the manager should he be sacked.
Former manager and player Slaven Bilic is a candidate, though the Croatian would only likely be appointed until the end of the season.
Another ex-Hammers player, Gary O’Neil, is on the shortlist having kept Bournemouth and Wolves up in relegation battles before.
There is a consideration to be made over whether West Ham’s next two games, away to Everton and Arsenal, would be helpful for a new manager.
Those games are followed by the October international break, which may be a more natural time for a change.
While Potter is yet to be dismissed there has been no ringing endorsement from senior figures within the club.
There was scant support for Potter in the bizarre 1,376-word statement defending the board’s work in recent years published last week.
West Ham bosses have made it clear they expect results to improve.
They have also been frustrated by the form of summer signing Mads Hermansen, who was Potter’s first choice in goal.
Hermansen was dropped for Alphonse Areola against Crystal Palace following a string of errors early this season.
The poor defensive organisation has also annoyed the hierarchy.
Potter was frustrated himself over the summer by a drawn out recruitment process, with many agents and clubs told there was little money until the final week of the window.
Speaking after Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace – a third straight London derby loss at home – the Hammers boss reiterated that he felt he was the right man to turn things around.
Potter was appointed to replace Julen Lopetegui in January, who was appointed only six months before as David Moyes’ replacement.
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