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Zola considers his future as Hammers line up replacement

Gianfranco Zola is considering his future at Upton Park © Getty Images

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West Ham have put Graeme Souness, Glenn Hoddle, David O'Leary and Terry Venables on a four-man shortlist as Gianfranco Zola admits he is now considering his future.

Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold were holding talks about whether they would dispense with Zola following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke - the club's sixth successive loss - and they have drawn up a list of candidates should the manager depart.

There are doubts, however, over whether O'Leary or Venables would be keen on the prospect of being manager for just the remaining six games. Souness and Hoddle, though, would take it on a short term basis, with Souness more likely to want to carry on next season if he keeps them up.

Zola had previously indicated that he would not walk away from West Ham, but he told journalists on Saturday that he would have to consider his future overnight.

Should he decide to stay on, there is the possibility that he will be asked to leave nonetheless. Sullivan and Gold had expected a minimum of four points from the games against Wolves and Stoke over the last week and view the run of defeats as unacceptable as they edge closer towards relegation.

Sullivan has already told Soccernet that he believes the club will lose a minimum of £40 million in year one alone, but that would not take account of the Premier League's new £1.2 billion overseas TV deal, which would add £5 million to the Hammers losses.

There is a feeling that Zola may lack the tactical acumen and ruthless streak needed to rescue the club and that the candidates suggested, who are all currently available, may help address some of the problems.

Soccernet believes Hoddle would be interested in coming to the Hammers' rescue. He was recently interviewed for the Nigeria job ahead of the World Cup and, as he runs an academy in Spain, would prefer a short-term role.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.