Gianfranco Zola has been relieved of his duties as West Ham manager, with Mark Hughes, Avram Grant and Slaven Bilic the favourites to replace him in the Upton Park hotseat.
Zola's contract was terminated following a meeting with Hammers managing director Karren Brady, and the club will now make one more final attempt to lure Hughes to the club, while Grant will also be interviewed for the post.Highly-rated Real Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano is also in contention after guiding the unfancied club to the brink of Champions League qualification, while Martin Jol and former Hammers defender Bilic have been regularly linked with the position.
After leading West Ham to their lowest ever Premier League points total and on the back of a series of rows with co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan it had seemed to be a case of 'when' not 'if' he would be sacked and a statement on the West Ham website confirmed the inevitable.
"West Ham United confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola," the statement said. "The board of directors would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future. The club will now be focusing its efforts on seeking a replacement. The club will be making no further comment on this matter."
Hughes and Portsmouth boss Grant - who has performed a minor miracle in leading Pompey to the FA Cup final - are thought to be high on the shortlist to replace Zola, who was dismissed after a showdown meeting with Brady.
Sullivan and Gold have always thought of Hughes as the number one 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 out for a big job, and is thought to be keen to replace Rafael 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 top managerial earners after his spell with mega-wealthy Manchester City.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=784966&sec=england&cc=4716
