Roberto Donadoni was locked in talks with West Ham last night, as the club began the process of cutting their seven-strong shortlist for the manager's job down to two by Monday.
Donadoni, 44, sacked by Italy after a bitterly disappointing Euro 2008, is available and fits the bill of a young, charismatic but experienced manager, who would help rebuild the club over the next few years.
West Ham board members also spoke to the former Chelsea hero Gianfranco Zola by telephone on Thursday night, after he confirmed his interest in the job, the Daily Express says.
He, along with former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, is due to fly to London today for talks.
Last night Mancini gave the green light to an approach from West Ham as they searched for a successor to Alan Curbishley, who quit on Wednesday.
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