West Ham have Irons in the fire if they axe Moyes

David Moyes is odds-on favourite to be the next Premier League manager to get the chop.

West Ham were routed 4-0 by Brighton over the weekend and sit one point above the drop zone thanks to a run of just two wins in their last 13 top-flight outings.

A Europa Conference League campaign has given fans some positives but survival will be the Hammers’ main focus between now and the summer.

We take a look at the main contenders to replace Moyes, 59, ahead of the first leg of their last-16 clash against AEK Larnaca.

Rafael Benitez

Bookies’ favourite Rafael Benitez already boasts four Premier League spells on an impressive CV and may fancy another bite at the cherry.

The Spaniard enjoyed success with Liverpool, lifted the Europa League at Chelsea despite failing to win over the Blues faithful and took Newcastle back to the promised land via the Championship title.

But his last term in the English top flight saw him booted from his post at Everton with the Toffees in the midst of a relegation battle.

Benitez, 62, brings a wealth of experience and could get the best out of the Hammers’ summer acquisitions to iron out their struggles in attack.

Nuno Espirito Santo

Nuno Espirito Santo did a superb job at Wolves but looked out of his depth at Tottenham and was given his marching orders just five months into his reign.

Now managing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, the Portuguese tactician was in talks over a return to Wolves earlier this season until Julen Lopetegui scooped the post.

Nuno, 49, is clearly keen to make amends for his Spurs shambles and West Ham would offer the chance to restore his reputation.

Not known for flowing football, his pragmatic approach could be just what the Hammers need to avoid a nail-biting relegation battle.

Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino would obviously be a superb appointment at the London Stadium but persuading him to join would be tricky.

The former Spurs chief has no experience of managing in the lower reaches of the table and is unlikely to fancy a potential scrap to return from the Championship.

But the Irons are an established club with plenty of talented players, a huge stadium and top-level facilities.

If Poch, 51, could be talked into taking on the challenge, he may well have the East Londoners back competing for the European places soon.

Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard arrived in the Premier League dugout with a burgeoning reputation as a tactician thanks to his work at Rangers.

But things quickly went south on the other side of the border and he was dismissed by Aston Villa after winning just two of 11 league games to start the 2022-23 season.

Gerrard, 42, is a star name but lacks a reputation for steering clubs away from the foot of the table and would be a risky appointment.

Graham Potter

A left-field candidate but Graham Potter’s odds suggest the bookies believe he has a shot at the role.

The Chelsea chief is the next favourite to get the chop after Moyes and could be offered an immediate return should that happen.

Potter, 47, worked wonders at Brighton but has so far struggled to impose his vision at Stamford Bridge.