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Don't wind me up even more this week! Zola been named on the short list for the new boss at West Ham?

Italian trio on Hammers shortlist

By John Sinnott and Russell Barder

Three Italian coaches have been shortlisted for the managerial vacancy at West Ham, BBC Sport understands.

Ex-Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has thrown his hat into the ring to succeed Alan Curbishley, with Roberto Mancini and Gianfranco Zola on the shortlist.

Donadoni's agent has told BBC Sport that the 44-year-old coach would be keen to work in the Premier League.

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, now technical director of France, is also under consideration.

The agent of the 40-year-old Italian Paolo Di Canio, who played for West Ham for four years, has also said his client would "love to be considered" for the job.

Early bookmakers' favourite Slaven Bilic is thought to be reluctant to quit as Croatia coach before the start of 2009.

The 43-year-old Mancini, who briefly played for Leicester City in 2001, was sacked by Inter Milan in May despite guiding the club to its third consecutive Serie A title.

Donadoni guided Italy to the Euro 2008 quarter-finals but lost his job after the tournament as the Italian Football Federation re-appointed Marcello Lippi.

Donadoni, who has coached Serie A sides Livorno and Genoa, speaks English after spending two seasons playing in the MLS.

West Ham already have an Italian influence after Gianluca Nani was appointed as technical director in March.

His compatriot Davide Ballardini had been touted for the vacant manager's job, but was confirmed as new coach of Serie A side Palermo on Thursday.

In January Houllier was linked with the Newcastle job after Sam Allardyce was sacked, but the Frenchman quickly ruled himself out of the running.

Hammers favourite Di Canio has already contacted West Ham about succeeding Curbishley

"We have made moves to talk to West Ham and advised them that he wants to be considered," his agent Phil Spencer told BBC Sport.

"He wouldn't be putting himself up for the job if he didn't think he was capable of doing it.

"He just wants the opportunity to sit in front of the decision makers at West Ham to tell them what he would do and how he would take them forward.

"Unfortunately he can't do that unless they invite him to do so."

Bilic refused to comment about the West Ham vacancy ahead of his country's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

"The players asked about it - they read it on the internet or the papers or whatever," said Bilic.

"But we are playing Kazakhstan on Saturday and are just concentrating on that game."

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, who had been linked with a return to West Ham, has ruled himself out of the running as has England Under-21 manager and ex-Hammer Stuart Pearce.

Bilic fends off West Ham speculation

Di Canio was a popular player during his time in east London after signing from Sheffield Wednesday in 1999 and made 118 appearances for the club.

"He's had lots of support from fans that would like to see him, I think he is the fans' favourite for the job," added Spencer.

"But that doesn't always mean anything so we're hopeful that we will get the opportunity to at least speak to West Ham."

West Ham's vice chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson told BBC Sport that they hope to narrow the shortlist down to in the region of five to seven names as early as next week, but Spencer said he was unsure whether or not Di Canio was on it.

"We haven't heard from the club yet, so we don't know whether Paolo is on that shortlist," said Spencer.

"I don't know what West Ham are thinking and I don't know what manager they are going to bring in.

"It seems the ones they initially wanted have ruled themselves out of the job.

"You don't always get what you want, but the situation is they have to do the right thing for West Ham and Paolo loves West Ham, he's doing his coaching badges and he's very serious about managing."

During his career Di Canio courted controversy both on and off the pitch.

In 1998 he was handed an eight-match ban after pushing referee Paul Alcock, though three years later he won the Fifa fair play award after opting not to score because Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard was injured.

In his autobiography Di Canio said he was "fascinated" by Italy's former fascist leader Benito Mussolini.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...utd/7598744.stm

Wisey & Franco...

... I wouldn't be too opposed to that. Purely for selfish reasons, I'd love them in charge at the Bridge one day, Spammers or Barcodes would be a good indication if they could make it in the Premier League.

Wisey & Franco...

... I wouldn't be too opposed to that. Purely for selfish reasons, I'd love them in charge at the Bridge one day, Spammers or Barcodes would be a good indication if they could make it in the Premier League.

now that shearer's not there anymore i recon the job should go to a certain chelsea and newcastle ex-manager. yep, i'm thinking of gullit :) with the team of him, zola and wisey i would put a bet on newcastle winning the fa cup.

Rumours are that Zola has now been interviewed for the job. I have mixed feelings about this. Part of me hates the idea of Zola in charge of the Hammers but the part of me that would love to see Zola back at the Bridge at some point in the future thinks that the more experience he gets before coming to the Bridge the better. The last thing I would want is for Franco to come to the Bridge and fail. I would rather he failed elsewhere and we were never faced with a similar position to the Geordies and Keegan where we are blinded by loyalty!

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I can't see any positivity in it at all Loz. I f**king hate West Ham and love Zola. You imagine all the sh*t West Ham would give us, then seeing Zola shouting at his players from the away bench, no thanks!

I hear what you are saying Mod but if he does a fine job at West Ham and proved his worth then there is a greater chance we will see him at the Bridge in future. (i.e. West Ham once again Chelsea's feeder club ;) )

The flip side is that if he has a shocking time there and it transpires that he maybe isn't cut out for top level management then it would avoid a situation where we take a risk on him at some later stage and we end up in a position with Chelsea fans quietly acknowledging that the club should sack him but never wanted to come out and say it.

I hear what you are saying Mod but if he does a fine job at West Ham and proved his worth then there is a greater chance we will see him at the Bridge in future. (i.e. West Ham once again Chelsea's feeder club ;) )

The flip side is that if he has a shocking time there and it transpires that he maybe isn't cut out for top level management then it would avoid a situation where we take a risk on him at some later stage and we end up in a position with Chelsea fans quietly acknowledging that the club should sack him but never wanted to come out and say it.

This is how I see it as well. Who cares if he makes his mark in a team that doesn't compete with us in the same level. If he'd go to Liverscum I would have different view here.

I hear what you are saying Mod but if he does a fine job at West Ham and proved his worth then there is a greater chance we will see him at the Bridge in future. (i.e. West Ham once again Chelsea's feeder club ;) )

Exactly how I see it Loz, if I don't look at it in a positive outlook I would die a little inside from this story.

But suppose he doesn't do a good job, and we never look at him (I also wonder if we ever would look at him or if this is just fan's dreaming)....our last footballing memories of him will be as a failed manager for those c**ts

I have a few Spammers mates and they do not want him. They want an English ex-hammer or failing that they want Di Canio.

I can see how it would appeal to Franco, and it would be a good 'training vehicle' for him. But to see Franco lifting a trophy on behalf of West Chav would scar my soul. :o

I have a few Spammers mates and they do not want him. They want an English ex-hammer or failing that they want Di Canio.

I can see how it would appeal to Franco, and it would be a good 'training vehicle' for him. But to see Franco lifting a trophy on behalf of West Chav would scar my soul. :lol:

Ian Dowie :wub:

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i fcuking hate west ham, as simple as that if he managed them or tottenham id be devastated

Well it looks like it's only me and you in this thread that are unhappy to hear this..

Zola favourite for West Ham post

Gianfranco Zola has emerged as the clear favourite to become the next West Ham manager, BBC Sport understands.

Former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni also impressed West Ham's board during his interview, but Zola's Premier League experience has given him the edge.

The former Chelsea star is assistant coach of Italy's Under-21s and West Ham will hold further talks with Zola and the Italian Football Association.

Zola, 42, could be unveiled at a Thursday news conference.

He will be involved with Italy's Under-21 team for their match against their Croatia counterparts on Tuesday.

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic was one of the leading contenders but he has been ruled out the running by the Upton Park outfit.

Bilic is believed to have wanted to combine managing West Ham and his country's national team until the end of the year.

The Hammers hierarchy met on Monday to discuss the prospective candidates for the post and although Zola was deemed the leading figure, Donadoni was not far behind.

Donadoni was manager of the Italian national team before leaving the post after their quarter-final exit to Spain at Euro 2008.

But he has no experience of the English top flight and Zola's stint of almost seven years as a player at Chelsea is believed to have worked in his favour.

Michael Laudrup was also in the frame to succeed Alan Curbishley, who resigned on 3 September, but he has agreed to take over at Spartak Moscow.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...utd/7605386.stm

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