Slaven Bilic will remain as West Ham manger until the end of the season, according to co-owner David Sullivan.

The Croat signed a three-year deal when he took over from Sam Allardyce in 2015, with his contract running out at the end of the current campaign.

The Hammers have struggled at the start of the 2017-18 season and find themselves two points above the relegation zone after nine games.

David Sullivan says West Ham will not discuss Slaven Bilic's future until the end of the season

Bilic cuts a dejected figure as his side fell to a 3-0 home defeat by Brighton on Friday night

Sullivan spoke to Gary Neville on Sky Sports ahead of the 3-0 defeat by Brighton on Friday night, as West Ham fell to their fifth defeat of the season.

He said: 'If you change a manager it can give you two or three more points over a season statistically. I believe in morality and what's right.

'If you sign a contract you desperately want to honour that contract unless things are desperate.

'I think the manager has a three-year contract and is entitled to these three years. After the season we will sit down and see if he wants to stay on and if we want him to stay on. That's a long way off.

Jose Izquierdo celebrates after doubling the away side's lead just before half-time

Glenn Murray scored his second and Brighton's third as they came away 3-0 winners

'He is entitled to three years. He didn't sign a two-year contract or a one-year contract.'

Though West Ham have endured a difficult start to the season, Sullivan is optimistic that they will climb the table sooner than later.

'At this moment in time I don't think Slaven knows what his best XI is but when he does we will have a team that's very hard to beat.

'We are disappointed with where we are at the moment but I still think we can have a good year.'