Speculation over the future of popular Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola was brutally ended by his dismissal this week, after his side narrowly avoided relegation from the EPL.

West Ham finished 17^th after a 1-1 home draw against fifth-placed Manchester City. Luis Boa Morte marked his return from long-term injury with the 17^th minute opener, four minutes before Shaun Wright-Phillips equalised for City

The 43-year-old Sardinian’s future had been in doubt since the club was taken over by former Birmingham City co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan in January, with the latter particularly vocal and public in his criticism.

 

Zola’s response supposedly led to his uncompensated dismissal, which may land the club in court.

Zola had three years left on his lucrative £1.9m-per-annum contract, and was due that year’s salary under its terms as compensation for early dismissal.

However, the club’s current owners have been undertaking a severe cost-cutting drive at the overspending club since they took over.

And Zola was informed this week, in a ten-minute meeting with Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady, that he was sacked for breach of his contract and was therefore not entitled to compensation.

Former pornographer Sullivan frequently questioned Zola’s ability, most famously when he wrote an “open” letter to West Ham fans after their 3-1 home defeat to Wolves in March, labelling the side “pathetic” and “shambolic.”

The legally fraught issue, however, was Zola’s response to Sullivan’s public declaration that the entire first-team squad, apart from midfielder Scott Parker, were for sale.

The Hammers boss complained that if he was a player he “wouldn’t be very pleased to hear that. What can I make of it? I don’t know.” These comments are reportedly the basis for the club’s claim for breach of contract.

For all his obvious popularity with his players, Zola’s record in the Upton Park hot seat was poor, winning only 23 of his 80 games.

So the dismissal was no surprise in footballing terms. But the manner of his dismissal may cause the club problems as they seek a replacement.

A number of names have been in the frame since Sullivan and Gold’s arrival, with former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes known to be favoured by Sullivan.

Both Hughes and former England boss Steve McClaren have reportedly turned down the job. McClaren joined former German champions Wolfsburg because he didn’t wish to work for the two Davids.

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant is the current favourite and may be unveiled as Hammers boss within 48 hours of leading out the cash-strapped South Coast outfit in Saturday’s FA Cup Final.

Former Hammer and current Croatian national team boss Slaven Bilic is also a possible contender.

Despite West Ham’s on-field struggles, they have three players in England manager Fabio Capello’s provisional 30-man squad for next month’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

The afore-mentioned Parker joins goalkeeper Robert Green and centre-half Matthew Upson, after his inspirational and eye-catching form throughout the season, especially in the run-in.

Striker Guillermo Franco is in Mexico’s provisional 30-man squad.