Italians impress West Ham

Hammers' search for new boss down to four candidates

By James Dall   Last updated: 8th September 2008

Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Donadoni

Zola and Donadoni: In line for Hammers role

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West Ham United non-executive director Mike Lee has revealed that Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Donadoni both 'shone' in interviews for the vacant managerial post at the club.

The Hammers are in the process of identifying a new boss following Alan Curbishley's resignation on Wednesday, and have so far whittled their shortlist down to four potential candidates.

Zola and Donadoni both impressed club officials while Michael Laudrup, who is reportedly set to be interviewed on Monday, and Croatia head coach Slaven Bilic are among the other contenders for the role.

Lee confirmed West Ham hope to make an appointment before next week's trip to the Hawthorns, telling the BBC: "There's no favourite at the moment, we have set up a proper selection process.

"We have been surprised and pleased by the number of applications we have had and we are moving towards a short shortlist and ideally have a manager in place in time for the West Brom match next week.

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"Slaven Bilic could potentially be on that shortlist but it depends very much upon his availability. If for whatever reason he was not available until January in terms of working with us, I'm afraid that will rule him out.

"We have a very strong shortlist and it's going to be a tough decision with some exciting candidates.

"From the meetings that have taken place so far, the two that have really shone have been Donadoni and Zola.

"John Collins is very strong and will be an excellent manager in due course. He truly impressed but is maybe not quite right at the moment."

West Ham's selection process has already ruled out Gerard Houllier, former Scotland midfielder Collins and former Ajax boss Morten Olsen.