Rio Ferdinand is reported to have offered his services to West Ham United as a defensive coach.

West Ham’s season went from bad to worse on Saturday as they were hammered 5-1 by Arsenal at the London Stadium, leaving them just a point above the relegation zone.

Slaven Bilic’s side have conceded 29 goals in their first 14 games, with only bottom side Swansea City having a worse defensive record this season.

According to the Daily Mail, Ferdinand, who began his career with the Hammers and stayed at Upton Park from 1995 to 2000, has offered his services to the board as a defensive coach.

Ferdinand spent much of his time at West Ham playing alongside Bilic and would be well-placed to help the manager, who now finds himself under pressure after a dreadful start to the season.

Rio Ferdinand playing for West Ham in 1999 (Getty Images)

The West Ham board are understood to have demanded clarity from Bilic after he questioned his players’ ‘intensity’ during the defeat to Arsenal.