• Board release statement saying they have ‘100% faith’ in manager • West Ham only six points clear of relegation zone

West Ham United insist they have “100% faith” in the manager, Slaven Bilic, and his ability to lead the club, despite a fourth successive defeat that has left them only six points clear of the relegation zone.

Andrea Ranocchia gives Hull renewed hope with late win against West Ham Read more

The 2-1 defeat at Hull City on Saturday meant Bilic’s side have failed to record a Premier League win since the 3-1 victory against Southampton on 4 February and there is speculation that Rafael Benítez, the Newcastle United manager, could be in the frame to replace him. However, bearing in mind Bilic guided West Ham’s recovery after a slow start to the season, the club’s board released a statement on Sunday confirming their commitment to him.

“To end speculation once and for all, the West Ham United board feel it necessary to announce that we have 100% faith in Slaven Bilic’s ability to lead West Ham United,” read the statement. “Despite press speculation to the contrary, the manager’s position is not under threat. The board know that Slaven and his coaching staff have the full backing of the playing squad and the overwhelming majority of supporters to lead West Ham United out of this difficult spell.

“The board now urge all supporters to unite behind the manager, his staff and the squad as we go into some important games. We all have complete confidence in their ability to end a testing run of results and finish the season on a high.”

Andy Carroll’s 50th Premier League goal could not prevent West Ham from slipping to defeat against Hull, whose manager, Marco Silva, maintained his record of not having lost a home league match in 39 matches – a run that encompasses his spells at Estoril, Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos.

Bilic’s team travel to Arsenal on Wednesday before they face Swansea City at the London Stadium on Saturday in what could be a crucial indicator of whether they could be dragged into the relegation battle.

The manager was adamant he would not walk away from the club where he spent 18 months as a player, although Bilic did acknowledge that his side are in danger of making life difficult for themselves.

Asked if he was confident he could turn the club’s fortunes round, he said: “Of course we can. But we have to do that. It’s still very open. The guys below us are closing the gap and it’s up to us. We have a chance in every game but nobody’s going to do that apart from us. We have to do it.”

Hull City’s victory was a fourth in five matches at the KCom Stadium since Silva arrived to replace Mike Phelan at the start of January and, with their fellow relegation-threatened side Middlesbrough the visitors on Wednesday, the left‑back Andrew Robertson believes Hull can take heart from the recent recovery under the Portuguese.

“Our home form has been good since the manager came in and we need to keep it that way,” said Robertson, who scored the equaliser against West Ham before Andrea Ranocchia’s winning header five minutes from time.

“Our away form has been disappointing and we know that we need to pick up points on the road as well but for now we must prepare for another big home game on Wednesday night.”