Gianfranco Zola takes over at West Ham

Gianfranco Zola takes over at West Ham

Gianfranco Zola poses with a scarf after a news conference to announce he is the new manager of West Ham United at Upton Park stadium in London 2:110 Credit Action Images 2:115 Source Action Images 2:120 Caption Gianfranco Zola poses with a scarf after a news conference to announce he is the new manager of West Ham United at Upton Park stadium in London September 11, 2008.


Gianfranco Zola poses after a news conference to announce he is the new manager of West Ham United at Upton Park stadium in London Sept. 11, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Hammers poised to offer Zola top post

BEIJING, Sept. 10 -- Former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola is the frontrunner for the manager's job at West Ham United.

Zola is currently joint coach of Italy's under-21 side, which was in action against Croatia last night. His appointment as Hammers manager is widely expected to be announced Wednesday or Thursday.

West Ham director Mike Lee said Zola and Roberto Donadoni, who stepped down as Italy coach following the team's disappointing quarterfinal exit from the year's European Championship, "really shone" in interviews this week.

However, Zola appears to be the strong favorite after Britain's Press Association reported yesterday that Donadoni formally withdrew his application after apparently becoming dismayed by the recruitment process.

Despite playing for cross-London rival Chelsea for seven years, Zola is likely to be a popular choice among Hammers fans given his commitment to attacking football.

The former Italian international was a model professional, one of the most exciting strikers to grace the English Premier League, and was voted Chelsea's greatest ever player in a fan poll in 2007.

Michael Laudrup and former West Ham defender and Croatia coach Slaven Bilic were also under consideration to succeed Alan Curbishley, who quit last week and accused the club's board of selling players against his wishes.

Meanwhile, Brazil legend Zico has revealed he would be interested in succeeding Kevin Keegan as Newcastle United manager.

A number of big names have been linked with the St. James' Park hot seat, vacated by Keegan last week, and now former Japan and Fenerbahce boss Zico has joined that list.

One of the alleged reasons behind Keegan's departure was the club's use of a director of football but Zico, who made 88 appearances for Brazil, has no qualms with the Northeast side's internal structure.

"The Newcastle job is one that I would be very interested in taking. It would be a privilege and an honor," he told the Daily Mail. "I am used to working alongside technical directors so this isn't an issue for me. It's normal for me to work in those conditions."

The former Brazilian international enhanced his reputation in Europe after leading Fenerbahce to the quarterfinals of last season's Champions League.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)