West Ham sack Zola

LONDON, (AFP) - West Ham have sacked manager Gianfranco Zola, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.

Zola was widely expected to leave Upton Park following a turbulent campaign which saw the club's co-owner David Sullivan strongly criticise the Italian and his players following a series of disappointing results.

Former Chelsea star Zola just managed to keep his side in the top-flight, but they finished only one place above the relegation zone and he has paid the price for his faltering relationship with the club's owners.

"West Ham United confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola," a statement on the club's website read.

"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."

Zola, who arrived at West Ham in September 2008 for the first managerial role of his career, admitted after the team's final game of the season, a 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, that the chaotic nature of West Ham's campaign had caused him to lose some of his love for football.

Sullivan had piled the pressure on Zola when he slammed a 3-1 home defeat against Wolves as "pathetic" and the Hammers boss had contemplated quitting fter a 1-0 home defeat against Stoke on March 27, the team's sixth successive loss, left them just above the drop zone.

But, following a weekend trip back to Italy to clear his head, the 43-year-old vowed to carry on and ensure his club stayed up.

A gritty draw at Everton and wins over Sunderland and Wigan guaranteed West Ham's survival, but there was never much chance of Zola remaining in charge.

The search for his successor is likely to see Sullivan and co-owner David Gold consider Croatia boss Slaven Bilic, who is a former Hammers star, ex-Manchester City manager Mark Hughes, Portsmouth chief Avram Grant and Birmingham manager Alex McLeish.