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Zola sacked as West Ham manager

Gianfranco Zola led West Ham to 17th place in the Premier League © Getty Images

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Gianfranco Zola has been relieved of his duties as West Ham manager, with Mark Hughes, Martin Jol and Slaven Bilic the favourites to replace him in the Upton Park hotseat.

Zola was sacked after leading the Hammers to their lowest ever Premier League points total, and the club will now make one more final attempt to lure Hughes to the club, while Avram Grant will also be interviewed for the post.

Highly-rated Real Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano is also in contention after guiding the Spanish team to the brink of Champions League qualification, while Martin Jol and former Hammers defender Bilic have been regularly linked with the position.

Hughes and FA Cup Final manager of Portsmouth will be high on the short list to replace Zola, who was dismissed after a showdown meeting with Hammers managing director Karren Brady.

Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have always thought of Hughes as the No. 1 choice, but they will want to take their time and would like to interview a full shortlist of candidates before making up their minds.

Hughes has indicated his willingness to hold on for a big job, and is thought to be keen to replace Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, but it might turn out that his best offer for a return to the Premier League arrives at the door of Upton Park.

The co owners wanted Hughes when they took control in January but Hughes indicated that he was still biding his time, and his wage demands would make him one of the highest managerial earners after his spell with mega wealthy Manchester City.

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