Senior West Ham sources confirmed last night that Zola will fly in to London today to sign his contract.
The club are confident that the 42-year-old former Chelsea striker will be formally unveiled at a news conference before this weekend's ma
tch against West Bromwich Albion. The Italian's backroom staff will be announced today and it is understood that caretaker manager Kevin Keen will continue on the coaching staff – but ex-West Ham player Paolo di Canio is not part of Zola's plans.
Zola spent yesterday morning speaking to the Italian FA about being released from his contract as joint coach to the Italy Under-21 side. His lawyer was at Upton Park agreeing the contract, and all the details have been settled to both sides' satisfaction.
Businessman Kia Joorabchian, who acts as transfer consultant for the Hammers, was asked by reporters last night whether Zola's appointment was nearly a done deal, and he said: "Yes. Pretty much all the i's and t's have been dotted and crossed. I think tomorrow he will sign and be the new West Ham manager."
Clarke, who won six Scotland caps as a player and is currently assistant to Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge, has been linked with a move to becoming Zola's assistant manager – they know each other well from Zola's time at Stamford Bridge.
Joorabchian admitted that Clarke is the preferred candidate for Zola. "They are looking for assistants," he told Sky Sports News. "Gianfranco has a very close relationship with one particular person, Steve Clarke.
"They are very close and they feel his experience in the Premier League, working under very big coaches at Chelsea, has given him a lot of experience. He is more defensively-minded than Gianfranco so he brings good balance. I think that is what he is going for."
Pierluigi Casiraghi, Zola's fellow joint coach of the Italy Under-21 side, has also been linked with the No 2 role but he has cast doubt on that saying: "If Gianfranco decides to go to England, I will lose a great coach and, more importantly, a true friend. But I don't want to leave this national team."
Graeme Le Saux, a team-mate of Zola's at Chelsea, believes West Ham have landed a great signing. Le Saux said: "West Ham have pulled off a major coup. It's been a bit of an unsettled time for the club but every one of that squad will be excited. They will be looking forward to that first training session."
Zola has already revealed he is committed to a philosophy which will excite West Ham fans. He said: "I only know one way to play: on the floor, attacking football, the way things should be done. I want to excite people, that is why we play isn't it?"
He also urged West Ham fans to cast aside his links with Chelsea after he admitted the chance to manage the east London club was one he could not resist. "I know there is a rivalry between Chelsea and West Ham, but that is not a problem. My playing career is my past," Zola added.
"This is a new adventure for me. I spent seven years at Chelsea and they were seven of the best years of my career, I loved playing there but the fans must understand that I have a new career now and my playing career is in the past."
The full article contains 609 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
