Graham Potter is close to being named West Ham boss and could be in charge of the FA Cup match against Aston Villa on Friday night.
The former Brighton and Chelsea manager is very close to signing a deal that will allow him to succeed Julen Lopetegui on the Hammers bench.
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A breakthrough in negotiations means Potter is expected to join imminently in an initial six-month deal that could be extended to two-and-a-half years assuming he hits certain targets.
And their first task will be difficult when West Ham take on the Champions League side at Villa Park in the third round tie, live on talkSPORT.
West Ham are yet to announce Lopetegui's departure despite talkSPORT revealing on Monday that they had already decided to show him the door.
Even though Lopetegui knew he was leaving the club, he arrived on Tuesday to train with the team.
The Spanish joined the hammers in the summer as David Moyes' successor, but is quickly emerging with the club 14th in the Premier League.
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Lopetegui have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks amid their poor form, with just six wins in 20 league games.
The 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday was the last straw.
Potter is now set to replace him and make his long-awaited return to management, having been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge in April 2023 following a successful season at Brighton.
Sporting director Tim Steidten also faces an uncertain future at West Ham. This comes as it emerged that Steidten will stay away from the training ground following a breakdown in his relationship with Lopetegui.
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West Ham spent around £130m on nine new players in the close season but lost nine of their 20 top-flight games this season.
Speaking to talkSPORT about Lopetegui when it was revealed he was facing the sack, West Ham legend Tony Cottee said of club bosses: “They should hang their heads in shame.
“Tim Steidten, the board, is a pathetic appointment in the first place and I can't believe what they do sometimes. West Ham is my club but it was the wrong appointment.
“Yes, you can blame Lopetegui… But Tim Steidten is the director of football, David Sullivan is in charge of the club. They have to take responsibility, they can't keep making these stupid mistakes.
“If you get rid of one of West Ham's most successful managers in terms of trophies then you have to make the right appointment.”
A four-match unbeaten run, including two wins, over the festive period had sparked a sense of recovery.
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But the Hammers have tasted consecutive defeats in the Premier League, with City losing out after a 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool.
Although West Ham remain seven points above the relegation zone, the club's hierarchy plan to make a change now.
A push for European qualification during the second half of the season appears to be an unlikely prospect for now.
It would lead to a second consecutive campaign without continental football just two years after winning the UEFA Conference League.
West Ham's chances of success heading into the summer have also taken a huge hit amid Jarrod Bowen. recent injury.
The club captain was substituted in the home defeat to Liverpool and suffered a broken foot.
Bowen will miss six to eight weeks, potentially ruling him out until early March.
West Ham take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday night, live on talkSPORT.
They will then return to Premier League action on January 14 at home to Fulham, followed by another London derby against Crystal Palace.
