THE path to the West Ham manager’s desk appears to be clearing for Gianfranco Zola after Michael Laudrup and Slaven Bilic fell out of the running for the job.

Denmark legend Laudrup was expected to be interviewed by Irons chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani on Monday, only for Russian giants Spartak Moscow to announce that the 44-year-old was set to become their new boss.

Spartak general manager Valeri Karpin told uefa.com: “His contract term will be one and a half years. We’ve chosen this coach as we think that he is capable of setting out the team’s style and achieving good results.”

Laudrup himself is also quoted comparing Spartak to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“I think Spartak have a good future,” said the former Getafe coach.

Former Hammers defender and Croatia coach Bilic, meanwhile, has committed his future to managing his home nation, despite the riches on offer at Upton Park.

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Bilic, whose side take on England in Zagreb in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday evening.

“Any club from England is a great opportunity. Not for money, honestly, for me it's about ambition. It’s about working in England, a country you know I adore.

“But it’s like, no. West Ham is my club, I have feelings for them but I won’t go. And I won’t go to Newcastle.”

Former Hibernian manager John Collins, who was interviewed on Friday, has also been ruled out, leaving Zola as the clear favourite to take up his first full-time management role.

The former Italy international, currently co-coach of his nation’s Under-21 side, looks set to beat off the challenge of countryman Roberto Donadoni and succeed Alan Curbishley.

Duxbury and Nani were both hugely impressed with the former Chelsea forward’s passion and vision for the Irons.