Norwich City manager Chris Hughton is under mounting pressure following comments by the club's chief executive David McNally.
The businessman expressed his disappointment in the Canaries' recent performances, and declared that relegation to the Championship would be disastrous.
"We are in a trough. Performances have disappointed at times and results have not been what we would have liked," The Mirror quotes McNally as saying.
"But we will not contemplate relegation. In a sporting sense, it is worse than death but I would prefer death rather than relegation. There is nothing more important than keeping this football club in the Premier League and we are all focused on that."
Norwich have not won in eight matches in all competitions, and head into this weekend's clash with Hull City just two points away from the drop zone.
