Manuel Pellegrini is one poor result away from getting the sack as West Ham United manager, according to The Sun.
Following defeat to Arsenal on Monday night, being beaten by Southampton this weekend is likely to see Pellegrini axed.
The Hammers have a free week after the game at the Saints because their scheduled match with Liverpool has been postponed due to their involvement at the Club World Cup.
That 12-day break is viewed as the ideal time to bed in a new boss. David Moyes and Chris Hughton remain the front-runners to succeed Pellegrini should he be sacked.
Moyes – whose last job in 2017/18 was at the London Stadium – is also being considered by manager-less Everton.
Neither men would be prepared to accept a short-term contract until the end of the season.
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At the end of last month the Mirror claimed that West Ham would have Chris Wilder “in their crosshairs” if they dismissed Pellegrini.
Yet they have since become “pessimistic” about their ability to lure Wilder away from Sheffield United.
While that is likely to be true, it doesn’t mean that the rumours won’t return if the East London club are on the hunt for a new manager.
How popular a choice rehiring Moyes would be among the fans is unclear. The 56-year-old did a solid enough job last time around, but has now been without work for 18 months. It suggests his stock has greatly fallen.
Hughton is also a well liked coach, but was sacked by Brighton and Hove Albion at the end of last season for taking them as far as he could.
Wilder, meanwhile, is a rising star in the game and has been praised for his innovative tactics. The Blades are currently ninth in the table in what is their first Premier League campaign in 12 years.
Tempting him to abandon the project at Bramall Lane is unlikely. Yet that doesn’t mean the rumours won’t still be there.