Tony Carr was pleased with his new striker after he scored a debut goal for
the U18s on Saturday
08.09.2008
Tony Carr has praised Balint Bajner's performance in the 1-1 draw with
Reading Under-18s as the solid start to the new season continued.
The 17-year-old debutant got off to a dream start by finishing a fine team
move just five minutes in at Little Heath on Saturday. The home side had
chances to extend their lead but could not find the killer second goal.
Substitute Christian Montano was then sent off midway through the second
half before Reading equalised with 20 minutes to go.
Carr was understandably delighted with his new recruit's contribution. He
said: "It's his first game and he scored a good, well-worked goal and
started the game really brightly. We're pleased with the start and that
really should have been the platform for us to go on and score one or two
more and win the game."
The manager was frustrated that luck appeared to desert his side as they
missed several opportunities to double their lead. Focusing on the bright
forward play that led to the opportunities, Carr said: "Danny Kearns brought
a great save that on another day may have gone in. Anthony Edgar went on-on
one with the goalkeeper and he saved it - it was a golden opportunity to put
us two up."
Montano was then dismissed and the young Royals side took full advantage to
score an equaliser. "They got a free-kick on the halfway line and pumped it
into the box in the swirling wind. We didn't deal with it very well and it
dropped down and they poked it home to make it 1-1. We were down to ten men
and it was not so much hanging on as much as making sure we didn't lose,"
Carr said.
The academy director said the match was a good experience for his
youngsters. "Every academy team you play, you have to work for your victory
and this was more of a physical battle," he said. "It's just something you
have to add to your game. It isn't always about passing, movement and pretty
football. Sometimes you have to battle and pout your head to the ball and
defend. We were a bit disappointed to have even conceded the goal we did and
I suppose a draw was a fair outcome and we played the last 20 minutes with
ten men."
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Carling Cup ticket latest - WHUFC
Tickets for West Ham United's third round Carling Cup match will go on sale
on 10 September
08.09.2008
West Ham United's next stop in the quest to reach Wembley is a trip to
Vicarage Road on Tuesday 23 September.
Following the 4-1 win against Macclesfield Town at the Boleyn Ground in the
Carling Cup second round, the team's reward is a visit to the Championship
outfit. The travelling support has been allocated 2,300 for the match, which
kicks-off at 7.45pm. Ticket prices have been set at £15 for adults, with
concessions £5. Among the lineup could be Calum Davenport, who scored his
first goal for United in the 4-1 win against Blackburn Rovers last week to
underline that he is over a serious neck injury suffered in the first game
of a loan spell at Watford back in January.
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Zola favourite for West Ham post - BBC
Gianfranco Zola is the clear favourite to become the next West Ham manager
and is set for more talks with the Hammers on Tuesday, 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 could be unveiled at a Thursday news
conference. However Zola, assistant coach of Italy's Under-21s, will be
involved for their game against Croatia 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.
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Decision imminent - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 8th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will announce Alan Curbishley's replacement within 48 hours,
according to reports tonight. 'Club advisor' Kia Joorabchian, speaking to
Sky Sports tonight revealed that the Hammers are set to name their 12th
full-time manager either tomorrow or Thursday. Heading the pack at the
moment is Italian rookie Gianfranco Zola, the under 21 coach with no
previous managerial experience. Also still in the frame on a much-reduced
shortlist is Roberto Donadoni, the former manager of the Italian national
team who was fired this summer following the Azurri's disappointing showing
in Euro 2008.
Joorabchian, talking this evening said: "They [West Ham] are moving quite
fast because they are sensitive to the fact that they want to get someone
in. Within 48 to 72 hours you'll probably get some news coming out of them.
"Zola has got a lot of experience in the Premier League as a player. His
coaching skills are obviously dynamic and new, and he's built up a big
reputation for himself in Italy with the under 21s. "Donadoni has tremendous
experience as a player and I think he is also a very worthy candidate."
Zola, when asked about his possible appointment as West Ham United's third
manager in three years during preparation for the Italian under 21s clash
with Croatia tomorrow night refused to confirm or deny the news, stating:
"Everything will be resolved shortly. "Now is not the time for me to talk
about West Ham. It would be disrespectful to talk about another job when we
are preparing for an important match."
Fans favourite Roberto Mancini is thought to have been removed from the
club's shortlist due to his personal financial demands, whilst second
favourite Slaven Bilic is understood to have been ruled out due to his
insistence on remaining as head coach of Croatia until the new year.
KUMB.com 'New Manager' Poll Results
Poll 1 (Thurs 4th/Fri 5th September, 718 votes)
1. Roberto Mancini 52%
2. Slaven Bilic 29%
3. Gerard Houllier 4%
4. Roberto Donadoni 1%
5. Gianfranco Zola 1%
Poll 2 (Sun 7th/Mon 8th September, 480 votes)
1. Slaven Bilic 51%
2. Michael Laudrup 24%
3. Roberto Donadoni 14%
4. Gianfranco Zola 9%
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
....and then there were three - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 8th September 2008
By: A Different Staff Writer
The shortlist of applicants for the vacant manager's job appears to have
shrunk to three - or possibly two - names as Michael Laudrup heads East.
The Dane, who was expected at the Boleyn this week for an interview, has now
joined Spartak Moscow on an 18 month deal. That leaves the board with a
short list comprised of former Italian boss Roberto Donadoni, Italian under
21 coach Gianfranco Zola and former Hammer Slaven Bilic. Bilic, however
appears to have ruled himself out of contention with a series of quotes
suggesting he will honour his contract as Croatia coach.
The club have suggested that they hope to make an appointment in time for
Saturday's away trip to West Bromwich Albion, with a view to the new boss
taking over properly for the home match against Newcastle on 20 September.
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Hammers close on new boss - SSN
New Upton Park boss could be named within 48 hours
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 8th September 2008
West Ham are understood to have narrowed their list of managerial candidates
down to two names and could announce a new boss within the next 48 hours.
The Hammers were initially thought to have a shortlist of four names,
including Michael Laudrup, Slaven Bilic, Gianfranco Zola and Roberto
Donadoni. However, Laudrup ruled himself out of the running on Monday after
agreeing to take over at Spartak Moscow. And Kia Joorabchian - who,
according to Sky Sports News, is acting as an official advisor to the Upton
Park board in the hunt for a new manager - believes Croatia manager Bilic is
also now unlikely to move to England. "I think they (West Ham) have probably
narrowed it down to two candidates now and they are very strong candidates,"
Joorabchian told Sky Sports News. "Slaven Bilic has probably ruled himself
out due to the Croatian national team. "You have to respect the fact that
he is managing Croatia and has an ambition to take them to the World Cup. He
is probably looking like the least likely at the moment."
Former Chelsea star and joint Italy Under 21 coach Zola is rumoured to be in
pole position to succeed Alan Curbishley, who resigned last week, but
Joorabchian insists ex-Italy chief Donadoni is also well qualified. "Zola
has got a lot of experience in the Premier League as a player and he has
built a big reputation in Italy with the U21s," Joorabchian continued.
"Donadoni was with the Italian national team and he has tremendous
experience as a player. He is another worthy candidate."And Joorabchian
expects West Ham to make a decision upon their new manager within a maximum
of three days. "They (West Ham) are moving quite fast because they are
sensitive to the fact that they want to get someone in," added Joorabchian.
"It is the final decision, it is basically down to that. I would expect
within the next 48 to 72 hours, you will probably get some news."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Appiah eager to address future - SSN
Ghana midfielder keen to secure new club
Last updated: 8th September 2008
Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah hopes to have secured a new club within the
next seven days. The former Fenerbahce player is a free agent after leaving
the Turkish outfit in the summer and he has been strongly linked with a move
to England. Skysports.com revealed at the weekend that a host of Premier
League clubs, including West Ham, Arsenal and Portsmouth, are keeping tabs
on the former Juventus man. And the 27-year-old is eager to have agreed
terms with a new employer by the end of the week. He told KickOffGhana: "By
the close of the week, I will see where I am going to play my club
football." Appiah is still allowed to join a new club, despite missing last
week's transfer deadline, because of his free agent status.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola is favourite to be offered job of West Ham manager - The
Times
Gary Jacob
Gianfranco Zola is expected to be offered the job of West Ham United manager
after the club ruled out the possibility of appointing Slaven Bilic last
night. Zola appears to have won the battle with Roberto Donadoni, his fellow
Italian and the only other candidate being considered, but the club's board
is expected to meet today to finalise its decision. If personal terms are
agreed, an announcement of the successor to Alan Curbishley, who resigned
last week, could take place on Thursday.
Zola lacks the experience of Donadoni, who has taken charge of three clubs
in Italy as well as the national team, but it is understood that he was more
impressive during his two interviews in Rome last weekend. Zola, 42,
detailed his vision of attractive football, integrating youth players and
explaining how the club could evolve. Also in his favour is that he played
for seven seaons in England after signing for Chelsea in 1996.
Some fans will not like the idea of enlisting a former Chelsea forward -
voted the West London club's best ever player by fans in 2003 - but West Ham
believe that the dignified Italian is held in high regard throughout England
for his exploits on the pitch. It is also believed that his promised playing
style will match the fans' expectations of flowing football, rarely achieved
under Curbishley. If he is appointed, he could be joined at Upton Park by
Steve Clarke, the Chelsea assistant coach, who is a contender for a
first-team coaching role.
Zola did not deny the possibility of being appointed when contacted last
night, but he said that he was concentrating on his task as assistant coach
of the Italy Under-21 team, his first coaching post since retiring from
playing three years ago. They need to avoid defeat by Croatia in Varazdin
this evening to ensure qualification for play-offs ahead of the European
Under-21 Championship finals in Sweden next summer. "I am 100 per cent
focused on the match against Croatia and I can't talk about other things
now," Zola said last night.
The former Napoli and Parma forward has held the post for two years, having
been appointed as a technical consultant during an overhaul of the Italy
team management after the resignation of Marcello Lippi, who led Italy to
their fourth World Cup success in Germany in 2006 and was reappointed after
Donadoni was sacked after this summer's European Championship finals. Zola
does not have the required coaching qualifications but is working towards
the Uefa Pro Licence, which is mandatory for Barclays Premier League
managers, but there is not expected to be a problem in him being ratified.
Paul Ince, the Blackburn Rovers manager, did not have either the Pro or B
Licence when appointed this summer,
West Ham did not speak directly to Bilic. Through intermediaries, he offered
to take on both the Croatia and West Ham roles, but that was not suitable to
the East London club.
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West Ham offer 'shining' Zola manager's job
By Jason Burt
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
West Ham United last night made Gianfranco Zola an offer to become their new
manager. The former Chelsea striker has emerged, marginally, as the
first-choice candidate ahead of Roberto Donadoni following a meeting of the
club's board yesterday.
It is hoped, if Zola accepts, that a formal announcement will be made later
today, with the Italian attending this Saturday's Premier League match away
to West Bromwich Albion. However, Donadoni is still regarded as a strong
option and the deliberations were continuing.
West Ham have completely ruled out approaching the Croatia coach Slaven
Bilic, despite making contact with his advisers, while an interview with
Michael Laudrup, scheduled to take place yesterday, was cancelled late on
Sunday evening. The Dane's representatives telephoned the club to say he
would only attend if he was guaranteed to be made an offer. Laudrup met with
Spartak Moscow on Saturday and has been offered an extremely lucrative
18-month contract with the Russian club which he will now accept. An
announcement will be made tomorrow.
West Ham had originally drawn up a seven-strong shortlist to replace Alan
Curbishley who resigned last week. They then ruled out Gérard Houllier,
Morten Olsen and Roberto Mancini without meeting any of the trio. John
Collins, the only Briton on the shortlist, was interviewed on Friday at
Upton Park – the same day that the chief executive Scott Duxbury and
technical director Gianluca Nani met with Donadoni, the former coach of
Italy – before being discounted.
Nani then flew to Rome on Saturday to meet with Zola and, after being
impressed by the 42-year-old, he recommended that Duxbury meet with him the
following day. The pair then reported back to the West Ham board yesterday
and went through the candidates – and other coaches who had expressed an
interest in being approached – before it was decided that it will come down
to a straight choice between Zola and Donadoni.
"Zola and Donadoni have come shining through," said a spokesman. But there
is a sense that Zola, because of his popularity in England, transcending the
fact that he played for just one club, and, more importantly, because of his
commitment to attacking, stylish football, has the edge. Zola is joint-coach
of the Italian Under-21 side along with another former Chelsea player,
Pierluigi Casiraghi.
Despite West Ham's confidence, appointing either Zola or Donadoni would
represent a risk, although it would also be a triumph for Nani and the
structure he and Duxbury want to operate at the club. Zola has never coached
a club before while Donadoni has never worked in England. Nevertheless, both
are high-class candidates.
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Gianfranco Zola top of West Ham's list to replace Alan Curbishley -
Telegraph
West Ham are poised to break with more than a century of tradition by
offering Gianfranco Zola the chance to become the club's first foreign
manager.
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 12:33AM BST 09 Sep 2008
After five days of interviews following the resignation last week of Alan
Curbishley, the club's chief executive, Scott Duxbury, and technical
director Gianluca Nani are ready to recommend Zola as their preferred
candidate to the club's board. With Croatia manager Slaven Bilic ruled out
yesterday because of his refusal to consider taking the position on a
full-time basis and Michael Laudrup poised to take charge at Spartak Moscow,
the short-list had narrowed to Zola and ex-Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.
Both had impressed during talks with Nani and Duxbury but, as reported in
the Daily Telegraph, Zola became the frontrunner after particularly shining
during his second interview in Rome on Sunday.
It is understood that personal terms have already been agreed and an
official announcement is expected in the next 48 hours. Zola could then be
unveiled as early as Thursday ahead of what would be his first match as a
manager against West Bromwich on Saturday.
"Now is not the time to be talking about West Ham," Zola said last night at
the Italy Under-21s' hotel in Zagreb, where his team take on Croatia this
evening. "We have a crucial game coming up tonight, and all my thoughts are
focused on that. We will soon see how things resolve themselves with West
Ham."
Bilic had been the long-time favourite to succeed Curbishley but Upton Park
sources have now stressed that he was never their first choice and they felt
no need to wait after being particularly struck by the long-term vision of
Zola, as well as Donadini, in promoting the club's emerging talent.
Zola's excellent command of English and experience of the Premier League
also counted in his favour.
There was interest in Zola from Newcastle, but it is thought that the former
Chelsea forward would be reluctant to work under one-time team-mate Dennis
Wise. Having spent seven years with Chelsea between 1996 and 2003, Zola
would also prefer to live in London.
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Collins interviewed by West Ham as he prepares to relaunch career as manager
- The Scotsman
Published Date: 09 September 2008
By PHIL GORDON
JOHN Collins is ready to end his managerial exile and believes he has the
ability to make an impact in top-flight football after making West Ham
United's elite list of contenders. The former Scotland midfielder is the
only Briton among the six candidates interviewed by the London club for
their vacancy.
Collins, who has stepped out of the limelight since resigning from Hibernian
last December, is unlikely to be handed the role of replacing Alan
Curbishley with the Hammers also in talks with a stellar list of rivals
including Roberto Donadoni, Gianfranco Zola, Michael Laudrup and preferred
option, Slaven Bilic, the Croatia coach.
However, the 40-year-old was rejuvenated by the interest from West Ham, who
interviewed the Scot last Friday, and is now keen to relaunch a managerial
career that began in impressive style with a 14-month tenure at Hibernian
that landed the Edinburgh club its first silverware in 16 years and netted a
fortune in transfer fees.
Indeed, Collins discovered that West Ham had been monitoring his own
progress because of the attractive football played by his Hibs team during
that period. "They had scouts at Easter Road regularly watching our players
when I was manager and the reports came back that they really enjoyed the
style of football that we played at Hibernian," said Collins yesterday.
Collins has not been told officially that he is out of the running but West
Ham's director, Mike Lee, hinted that the club will pursue one of its
European candidates when he told BBC radio: "John Collins is very strong and
will be an excellent manager in due course – he truly impressed but is maybe
not quite right at the moment."
Collins said: "I knew going into this that they would probably want someone
with a higher profile than me. West Ham would have been a good role for me
but it's not to be. However, it was still nice to be asked. The interview
process got me excited again and apparently I was the only British candidate
on the list, although I believe that a lot of people in the British game
were in touch with West Ham about the job."
Collins' modern approach to the managerial position at Hibernian, where he
placed great emphasis on fitness, passing football and use of modern video
technology to help his players, impressed the Hammers' board.
His own CV as a player embraced Hibernian and Celtic, before the successful
switch to Monaco, and then five years in the Premiership with Everton and
Fulham. He won 58 caps for Scotland and scored in the 1998 World Cup finals
against Brazil. He turned down an approach from Queens Park Rangers last
October, shortly before he quit Easter Road and has spent the past nine
months enjoying quality time with his family and working as a television
analyst.
While some would point to a limited managerial track record, Collins is
convinced he has the attributes to become a manager in top-flight football.
"If the right job came up, of course I would be interested," he said. "I
have had a few phone calls since I left Hibernian about vacancies but the
jobs were just not right for me. I realise that it is always risky when you
step down from management in the way I did. I am in the fortunate position
in that I can afford to take a break from the game.
"I've played in the Premiership and won the league in France with Monaco. My
belief is that football is football, it is the same game wherever you are.
My philosophy and approach will never change. I am a believer in pure
football. Obviously, in the Premiership the league is a step up from the
Scottish Premier League but so too is the quality of player. As a manager
there, you would be working with better players and that would make the job
easier.
"West Ham were interested in the type of high-tempo football that we played
at Hibernian, where the emphasis was on passing in every part of the pitch
as they do in Europe. People also forget that we won the CIS Cup with
Hibernian, and were top of the SPL last October after winning at Ibrox,
despite selling £9.5m worth of talent and only using an outlay of £360,000
on compensation fees. I only had one defeat against Celtic in four games in
my time there and against Walter Smith's Rangers, I only lost one out of
three. I am looking to get back into management. I am ambitious but I would
stress that I am not wanting to work for the sake of it. I am not blasé, I
know that it may take time for the right opportunity to come along.
"Management is a precarious business, as we have seen over the last week in
the Premiership with two people (Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley] leaving.
My family are at an important stage in our lives. We are happy in Edinburgh.
My daughters love their school and that settled environment is very
important to me after moving around quite a bit as a player."
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West Ham trim their shortlist down to Zola· Italian will be offered
manager's job today
· Club moves to head off interest from Newcastle
Dominic Fifield The Guardian, Tuesday September 9 2008
West Ham will seek to outflank Newcastle today by offering their vacant
managerial position to Gianfranco Zola, having admitted that the Croatia
coach, Slaven Bilic, is no longer under consideration for the role at Upton
Park.
Zola has emerged as the London club's preferred candidate ahead of the
former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni and, with personal terms having
effectively been agreed, confirmation of his appointment as West Ham's first
foreign manager could be made later today. Indeed, the club are already
drawing up tentative plans to unveil the 42-year-old at the Boleyn Ground as
early as Thursday ahead of the weekend trip to West Bromwich Albion.
Bilic's reluctance to break the terms of his contract with his national
federation served to remove him from contention for the position created by
Alan Curbishley's resignation last week. The 39-year-old had explored the
possibility of continuing his role with the national team in tandem with
duties at West Ham until January, when he would have served his notice with
Croatia, in a last attempt to strike a compromise with his suitors, but the
Premier League club were not prepared to be left with a part-time manager
until the new year.
Instead, the Upton Park board insists it was left with two "incredibly
strong candidates" on their two-man shortlist, comprising Zola and Donadoni,
though the man recently voted Chelsea's greatest ever player was very much
the favoured candidate. Zola was the only contender to be interviewed twice,
first by the technical director, Gianluca Nani, and then by the chief
executive, Scott Duxbury, and impressed both with his vision for West Ham
under his stewardship.
Zola, currently coaching the Italy Under-21s alongside his former Chelsea
team-mate Pierluigi Casiraghi, has indicated that his team would play the
attacking, attractive brand of football long craved at Upton Park. The
former Napoli and Parma playmaker may have too many connections with the
west London rivals for comfort - he spent seven years as a player at
Stamford Bridge and is still revered across the capital - but he boasts the
charisma and enthusiasm sought for the role at the Boleyn Ground, and has
been given a glowing reference by the Italian Football Federation to back up
his credentials.
Those attributes were being digested by the West Ham chairman, Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, last night, Nani and Duxbury having reported back after a
weekend of talks with the candidates, with the club's hierarchy aware that
Newcastle had expressed an interest in luring the Italian to St James' Park.
They are, however, confident that interest could be deflected given that
Zola is understood to be reluctant to move to Tyneside, despite the fact
that he remains good friends with the Newcastle executive director
(football), Dennis Wise.
West Ham's board will meet again today and expect to be in a position to
offer the job to their favoured candidate - personal terms had been
discussed and as good as agreed with both Zola and Donadoni during the
interview process - in the hope that Zola will be able to attend the game at
the Hawthorns, with the team to be selected by the caretaker manager Kevin
Keen.
By then, Bilic could just be contemplating what might have been. Duxbury and
Nani decided against flying to Zagreb to speak with the Croat face to face,
aware that the original favourite for the role is currently consumed with
thoughts of defeating England in World Cup qualification tomorrow night. The
complicated reality of trying to extricate Bilic from his contract
ultimately proved impossible to resolve, particularly once the option of a
part-time manager was quickly rejected.
The fourth candidate on West Ham's list, drawn up at the weekend, was the
former Getafe manager Michael Laudrup. He had been expected to travel to
London last night but has now accepted an 18-month contract to manage
Spartak Moscow.
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Gianfranco Zola given the thumbs up to take over at Upton Park - Daily Mail
by NEIL ASHTON and MARTIN HARDY
Last updated at 7:53 AM on 09th September 2008
Gianfranco Zola will be offered the chance to become the new West Ham boss
today after Slaven Bilic was dramatically ruled out of a return to Upton
Park last night.
Despite being the club's first choice, Bilic was crossed off the short list
after confirming that he wants to continue as Croatia coach throughout their
World Cup qualifying campaign. Zola, currently in joint charge of the Italy
Under 21 team with Pierluigi Casiraghi, is the club's new prime target and
West Ham will offer him the job as first-team coach under technical director
Gianluca Nani. The former Chelsea playmaker will become the Hammers' first
foreign coach and will take charge of the team for Saturday's Barclays
Premier League clash at West Bromwich. The news will come as a blow to
Newcastle United's underfire owner Mike Ashley, who wanted Zola to replace
Kevin Keegan. A move for Zola had won favour throughout the St James' Park
boardroom and an approach had been planned by executive director (football)
Dennis Wise for his old Stamford Bridge colleague.
Zola impressed West Ham in two separate interviews and he is marginally
ahead of fellow Italian Roberto Donadoni because of his commitment to
attacking football and his experience of the Barclays Premier League.
Negotiations with the Italian Football Federation are already under way and
the Hammers expect to officially present him as their new boss on Thursday.
West Ham ruled out Bilic at a board meeting yesterday and an insider said:
'The idea of a part-time manager was something no board could contemplate.'
Zola, who is coincidentally in Zagreb preparing for his country's Under 21
clash with Croatia this evening, said: 'Everything will be resolved shortly.
Now is not the time for me to talk about West Ham. It would be disrespectful
to talk about another job when we are preparing for an important match. If
we beat Croatia we qualify for the Under 21 Championship.'
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Hammers Job: It's All Yours Zola - The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
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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West Ham set to name Gianfranco Zola as new manager - The Mirror
By Neil Mcleman 9/09/2008
Gianfranco Zola is set to be named West Ham's new manager after the club
yesterday rejected Slaven Bilic's offer to take the job part-time until
January. Former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni is still in the running as the
Upton Park hierarchy reduced their shortlist to two names last night. But
Zola's knowledge of Premier League football and his desire to see West Ham
play open, attractive football has convinced the board he is the best man
for the job. Zola, assistant coach to the Italian Under-21 team, was last
night preparing for a game in Croatia tonight. He said: "I have an important
match here and I am 100 per cent focused on that. I cannot say anything
about this at the moment." Zola has obtained his UEFA B coaching badge and
is studying for his pro licence. Bilic has repeatedly stated he would not
break his contract and walk out on his country during the World Cup
qualifying campaign. But the Croatian manager's deal includes a get-out
clause in January when the 39-year-old former Hammers defender would have
been willing to take the role. Bilic was open to brokering a deal with the
Croatian FA to carry out both jobs until the new year before taking over
full-time at the Boleyn Ground. But with the quality of candidates keen to
take the job, and Bilic unavailable for face-to-face talks because of
Croatia's date with England, the West Ham board are not willing to wait.
Danish legend Michael Laudrup dropped out of the reckoning yesterday when he
took the manager's job at Spartak Moscow. And so West Ham owner and chairman
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was presented with the choice of Zola or Donadoni by
Italian technical director Gianluca Nani at a board meeting last night.
Unless Bilic suddenly makes himself immediately available, Zola should be
unveiled before Saturday's trip to West Brom. He will then be in charge for
the home match against Newcastle on September 13. Zola, 42, impressed hugely
in two interviews, where he outlined his vision of attacking football which
fits the Hammers tradition. The former Italy and Chelsea forward told
friends yesterday he was pleased with the interviews and excited about the
challenge. Zola's association with London rivals Chelsea is not seen as a
major problem, but he will need an experienced No.2. Donadoni, 45 today, has
the advantage of coaching experience with two Serie A clubs and his country
- but has never worked in England. L audrup had been scheduled for an
interview in London but pulled out after agreeing an 18-month deal with a
club competing in the UEFA Cup this season. "Spartak are the best-known
Russian club, millions support this team all over the world," said Laudrup.
"This team has to be first in Russia, while also achieving good results on
the European stage."
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Hammers To Go For Zo - The Sun
Published: 08 Sep 2008
GIANFRANCO ZOLA has emerged as favourite to be named West Ham boss. Hammers
target Michael Laudrup today rejected Upton Park to take the Spartak Moscow
job. And the East Londoners have ruled out former Hammer Slaven Bilic after
his refusal to put a date on his departure as Croatia boss. Former Chelsea
star Zola, 42, is now in the frame to replace Alan Curbishley, who resigned
last week. West Ham will look to complete talks as soon as possible but may
face a slight delay - the former Blues midfielder is joint coach of the
Italy Under-21 side and they are in action in Croatia tomorrow night. Former
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has slipped down the reckoning, with the
Hammers board favouring Zola's Premier League experience.
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