Avram Grant will stay on as West Ham manager despite the club's perilous position at the bottom of the English Premier League.
The Hammers were widely reported to be on the brink of firing Grant but released a statement on Tuesday, pledging their backing for the Israeli coach.
''The club are committed to retaining Avram Grant as manager and have identified potential transfer targets to give us the best possible chance of retaining Premier League status,'' the statement read.
West Ham was bottom of England's top division, having won just four of its 23 matches this season. The team has reached the semifinals of the League Cup, however, and holds a 2-1 lead over Birmingham from the first leg.
Sections of the British media said former Aston Villa and Celtic manager Martin O'Neill had been lined up to replace the 55-year-old Grant before his interest waned. Former Ajax manager Martin Jol and Sam Allardyce, who was recently fired by Blackburn, were also widely linked with the post.
West Ham decided to make its position on Grant clear after British newspaper reports of unrest at the club.
With just two weeks to go before the January transfer window closes, and with his position secure at least in the short term, Grant will look to bring in players to help the team avoid dropping into the second-tier League Championship.
West Ham plays Everton away on Saturday before three key games against teams which could join them in a relegation fight - Blackpool, Birmingham and West Bromwich Albion.
