Zola takes pole position for West Ham manager job

Published on Sunday 7 September 2008 23:47

GIANFRANCO Zola has moved into pole position in the race to be the next West Ham United manager.

The former Chelsea midfielder had a second interview in Rome yesterday, and club officials are set to make him their top recommendation to the West Ham board tomorrow.

Zola hugely impressed West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury during yesterday's interview, and also has the support of club technical director Gianluca Nani.

According to club insiders, Zola's enthusiasm, his experience of the Premier League, his commitment to entertaining football and his coaching experience with the Italy Under-21 side have pushed him to the top of the list.

Roberto Donadoni also impressed but Slaven Bilic's chances look to have receded after question marks over when the Croatia coach would be available led to some doubts about his commitment.

Michael Laudrup is not out of the running yet, and Duxbury and Nani will make their final report to the board only after interviewing him today.

West Ham's selection process has already ruled out Gerard Houllier and the former Scotland midfielder and Hibernian manager John Collins, along with former Ajax boss Martin Olsen. But club director Mike Lee yesterday confirmed that Zola and Donadoni were leading candidates.

Lee told BBC Radio Five Live: "We have a very strong shortlist and it's going to be a tough decision with some exciting candidates.

"From the meetings that have taken place so far, the two that have really shone have been Donadoni and Zola.

"We have been surprised and pleased by the number of applications we have had, and we are moving towards a short shortlist and will ideally have a manager in place in time for the West Brom match next week.

"Slaven Bilic could potentially be on that shortlist but it depends very much upon his availability. If for whatever reason he was not available until January in terms of working with us I'm afraid that will rule him out."