West Ham's four options to replace Nuno Espirito Santo as sack pressure rises after Nottingham Forest defeat

But despite taking the lead through a Murillo own goal, late strikes from Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White consigned the hosts to another chastening defeat.

After the game, Nuno was frustrated - with the 51-year-old expressing a belief that Gibbs-White's 89th minute penalty should never have counted.

Yet the writing appears to be on the wall for the Portuguese coach, whose side are seven points clear of safety.

Sack pressure is rising on the former Wolves and Forest boss, who was only appointed as Graham Potter's successor back in September.

GB News now takes a look at the candidates who could replace him in the capital.

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick is currently a free agent, having left Middlesbrough back in the summer.

He has been heavily linked with Manchester United in the wake of their decision to sack Ruben Amorim, though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could end up moving to Old Trafford instead.

Carrick is the frontrunner to take over at West Ham, according to the bookies, with the 44-year-old featuring 159 times for the Hammers during his playing days.

Given his availability, and knowledge of the club, a sensational return could be on the cards.

Slaven Bilic

Another man who knows West Ham well is Slaven Bilic.

The 57-year-old spent two years as a player with the Hammers and also managed them for over two years between 2015 and 2017.

Despite previously being sacked, Bilic is understood to remain on good terms with the higher-ups at his old club.

He came close to replacing Potter earlier in the season and could be tempted to go back in order to save his former side from relegation.

Ruben Amorim

Amorim was axed by Manchester United on Monday after a disastrous 14-month stint in the dugout.

He was previously considered by West Ham - though they ended up going for Potter instead.

It does, however, appear unlikely that Amorim will stay in England.

Benfica, who are expected to part ways with Jose Mourinho, are a far likelier next destination.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard's managerial reputation was in tatters when he left Chelsea for a second time in April 2023.

However, ever since taking over at Coventry City, the ex-England midfielder has worked wonders.

Coventry are currently on course for Premier League promotion, which means luring Lampard back to West Ham - where he started his career as a player - could be tricky.

That said, the prospect of rescuing the Hammers may prove tempting if an offer materialises.

Who else should be considered?

Gareth Southgate: The former England boss played for West Ham and is a free agent. However, he's regularly hinted he's not interested in returning to the dugout given the toll managing the Three Lions took on him.

Kieran McKenna: Has worked wonders at Ipswich but there's a sense that a bigger Premier League club will come calling soon.

Lee Carsley: An outside bet. Unlikely, but stranger things have happened...