West Ham have unveiled the former Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola as their new coach, much as predicted all week.
The 42 year old Italian replaces Alan Curbishley at Upton Park who resigned over ‘interference’ from the West Ham board room.
Most recently Zola has been working as assistant coach with the Italian under 21 side with Pierluigi Casiraghi, who was initially expected to join Zola at the Hammers. Despite the relationship they have Casiraghi has opted to stay in Italy and continue his work there.
Chelsea assistant coach Steve Clarke has been earmarked by Zola and Clarke is keen to join his former team mate, but Chelsea have refused to accept his resignation and will not allow West Ham to talk with him.
Chelsea confirmed this was indeed the situation but would only add that talks with Clarke are ongoing. Clarke has spent twenty years at Stamford Bridge and is a firm favourite with the fans as well as commanding respect from his peers within the game.
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