West Ham make Graham Potter sack decision after heavy Chelsea defeat and woeful start

Graham Potter is under pressure after a woeful start to the season at West Ham. (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Graham Potter's position at West Ham remains secure for the time being, according to reports, but the former Chelsea manager must turn things around quickly if he wishes to keep his job at the London Stadium.

The Hammers' disappointing start to the season persisted on Friday evening as they suffered a 5-1 thrashing by Chelsea . Despite taking an early lead, the Blues swiftly dominated the match and made easy work of West Ham, with the stadium nearly deserted with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Potter has not yet completed a year in his role, having only taken over in January to succeed Julen Lopetegui . However, West Ham are already being touted as potential relegation candidates after conceding eight goals in their first two matches of the season.

Their season kicked off with a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of newly promoted Sunderland, and pressure is mounting on Potter, who has only managed to secure victory in five of his matches in charge. This gives him a win rate of just over 23 per cent.

According to The Daily Mail, he will remain at the helm for this week's fixtures against Wolves in the Carabao Cup and then Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. However, further damaging results could prompt the board to contemplate action, as per reports from The Mirror .

Following their heavy defeat on Friday, Potter expressed his disappointment: "Incredibly disappointed of course with the result. A good start, scored a great goal and then conceded a cheap goal and that probably set the tone for the evening.

"We played a top side, but the manner of the goals we conceded made it impossible for us.

"We have to do better. We have to dust ourselves down and prepare to play against Wolves. Keep going."

Potter has had a challenging summer with Mohamed Kudus - one of the side's key attacking players - transferring to Tottenham. Jean-Clair Todibo has been their significant summer acquisition, although he was on loan at the club last year.

The Hammers' boss declined to comment on the need for new signings in the final week of the transfer window - emphasising instead the necessity for them to improve defensively. "We will always look but its more fundamental than that, we have to make it harder for teams to score against us," he went on.

West Ham have maintained their Premier League status since their promotion - through the play-offs - in 2012. Just two years ago they secured the Conference League title, but they've found it difficult to build on that achievement.