New Managers for West Ham and Newcastle...
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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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GUS POYET is on the brink of becoming Newcastle boss.
Owner Mike Ashley made his move last night as Spurs No 2 Poyet met Toon officials in London. He is seen as the perfect man to replace Kevin Keegan thanks to his brilliant relationship with Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez.
Poyet was Wise’s assistant when he was boss at Leeds and Swindon and also played alongside the Toon director of football at Chelsea. Poyet, 40, is also close with vice-president Jimenez who played a controversial role in the departure of Keegan.
Spurs boss Juande Ramos will try everything he can to keep Poyet, who has been his No 2 for 11 months. Gianfranco Zola, another Wise pal, remains in the frame however — even though he will be offered the West Ham job today.