Gianfranco Zola sacked as West Ham manager

After months of speculation over his future Gianfranco Zola has been sacked as manager of West Ham, following a season in which the club changed hands and only narrowly escaped relegation.

The move comes as no surprise but could lead to turmoil at Upton Park, where Zola was a popular figure, and may also end the diminutive Italian's connection with the Premier League.

The writing had been on the wall for Zola ever since David Gold and David Sullivan took over the East London club in January. And in his programme notes for the Hammers' final game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday, Sullivan wrote that performances were "below the expectations at the start of the season".

Earlier in the season he branded the team "pathetic" and "shambolic."

Zola took over at West Ham in September 2008, replacing Alan Curbishley. His first season was a success as the team finished in the top half of the Premier League and the manager agreed a new four-year deal.

Sacking him could now cost West Ham £3.5m while Steve Clarke, Zola's assistant manager, is also expected to have his contract terminated.

The move may also jeopardise the reputation of the club's owners among players and fans. England defender Matthew Upson and striker Luis Boa Morte have both been vocal in suppoprt of the manager, and following the game with City Boa Morte said Sullivan should show "a bit more composure when he talks".

Zola was given a warm reception by fans after the final game of the season.

His sacking could bring down the curtain on Zola's long association with the Premier League. He spent seven seasons with Chelsea as a player and was one of the most popular and influential overseas imports in the early years of the Premier League.

He left Stamford Bridge in 2003 to end his career in Sardinia with his hometown club Cagliari, but was warmly welcomed back to England when he took over the reins at West Ham.

Steve McClaren had been tipped to take over even before the official announcement of Zola's departure, but the former England boss was unveiled as the manager of Wolfsburg on Tuesday.

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant, currently at Portsmouth, has been installed as the favourite to take over. ·