ZOLA HEADS FOR THE EXIT.

Gianfranco Zola is heading for the exit as West Ham manager.The new club directors are in panic mode and for good reason.They are slipping into relegation.Yesterday's seventh successive Premier League defeat leaves them on the same points as Hull who won and still have a game in hand.The owners have had a right go in public at the players and that includes the manager.Zola has gone home to consider his future which means one way or another he is certain to have gone by Monday lunchtime once compensation has been sorted.David Sullivan and David Gold have a deserved reputation for giving managers a longish reign.Birmingham managers usually had six years on average.Sullivan once told me he did not like changes.It cost millions on and off the field as the new manager wanted new backroom staff and new players.But West Ham is different.The debts and table position they have taken over are terrible.Zola is not their appointment.Terry Cooper,in a similar position did not last long at Birmingham.Who comes in? Mark Hughes is available,they admire Alex McLeish while Terry Venables or Sir Trevor Brooking would be great for just the rest of this season.Who ever you  cannot imagine Zola surviving.Cue another statement in the coming week from Richard Bevan at the League Managers Association.