GIANFRANCO Zola has emerged as a hot favourite to become West Ham United's new manager.

The former Italy international forward impressed the Irons' board during an interview following the sudden resignation of Alan Curbishley on Wednesday.

Hammers director Mike Lee told BBC Radio 5Live's Sportsweek on Sunday morning that Zola had "really shone" during talks with the club.

And a source close to the club has since told the Echo that the former Chelsea, Napoli and Parma forward has forged ahead of Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni, ex-Hibernian manager John Collins and Danish legend Brian Laudrup in the race to become the 12th full-time manager in West Ham's 113-year history.

Zola became a legend during his seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge and has since impressed as joint-coach - with ex-Chelsea team-mate Pierluigi Casiraghi - of Italy's Under-21 side.

The 42-year-old impressed Lee and his colleagues with his vision and passion for the club, while his ability to speak English fluently was also seen a positive by his interviewers.

Collins and Donadoni have also both been seen by the Hammers' hierarchy, with the Scot since being discounted from the race to replace Curbishley.

Laudrup, who impressed in charge at Spanish La Liga minnows Getafe last season, will speak to the club on Monday.

Bilic, meanwhile, is currently concentrating on his country's 2010 World Cup qualifier against England in Zagreb on Wednesday evening.

And, despite media suggestions to the contrary, the 39-year-old former Irons' centre-back is unlikely to be interviewed until after that match has been completed.

Meanwhile, Lee revealed that the club had been both impressed and slightly surprised with the quality of applicants for the top job at Upton Park.

"With Donadoni and Zola, and potentially Laudrup, we have some very exciting candidates," the London 2012 Olympic Games public relations chief told Sportsweek.

"But if Bilic wasn't available until January, that would rule him out."