GIANFRANCO ZOLA will be offered the West Ham manager’s job today.

Hammers chiefs held a board meeting last night and opted for the former Chelsea striker ahead of fellow Italian Roberto Donadoni.


Zola could be in place as the club’s first foreign boss in time for Saturday’s Premier League clash at West Brom.


A West Ham spokesman said: “We’ve had a detailed and positive discussion and expect to make an announcement very shortly.”


Zola, 42, is currently joint-coach of Italy Under-21s.


He may bring his pal and ex-Chelsea team-mate Pierluigi Casiraghi with him if he agrees to take over from Alan Curbishley on a deal worth around £1.5million a year.


West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury flew to Rome on Sunday for a second round of talks with Zola, after the club finally dropped its interest in Croatia boss Slaven Bilic.


Bilic gave too many mixed messages about when he was prepared to quit his current job to start work in East London.

Hammers’ Icelandic owners back Zola, who speaks perfect English, because of his lengthy Premier League experience.
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The Sun

zola would be a good coach fro west ham he is already a manger and has this experience, second he has a big EPL experience as he played for chelsea.

a good move for the hammers

Zola D-dayGIANFRANCO ZOLA will today tell West Ham whether he is to be their new boss.

Former Chelsea star Zola, 42, last night coached Italy Under-21s to a 1-1 draw in Croatia to make the play-offs for Euro 2009.


Zola said: “I did not want to speak yet about West Ham out of respect for the Italian FA.


“I will decide tomorrow — and then speak.”


Zola admitted he was worried his Chelsea links might trigger a backlash from West Ham fans.


He added: “I want to work in an environment that allows me to work with peace and tranquillity.


“I’m concerned that not everybody among the fans seems to be pleased at the prospect of me coaching the team.”