West Ham United have confirmed Gianfranco Zola as the new manager at Upton Park on a three-year contract.
New boss presented to media
West Ham have confirmed Gianfranco Zola will be the new manager at Upton Park.
The Italian has penned a three-year contract with the Hammers and steps into the breach left by Alan Curbishley's resignation.
The role represents the former Chelsea star's first taste of life as a manager, having only previously worked as a coach with the Italian U21 side.
The club have confirmed caretaker boss Kevin Keen will take charge for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Brom, with Zola set to take the reins on Monday.
Zola was naturally pleased to be unveiled as The Hammers' new boss and the Italian has promised to do his best for the East London club.
Delighted
"I'm delighted to be here. It's a great honour to be involved in such an important job," he said live on
Sky Sports News.
"I've promised I'd do my best for the club. It's a club with tradition. I'm here to help to develop the talent and the team.
"I want to help the players individually and as a team, by passing on my experience and knowledge. I'll do everything I can to succeed in this."
West Ham is Zola's first managerial appointment, although the 42-year-old does not fear his lack of experience will hinder his ability to succeed in the job.
"I'm not the most experienced manager around. I've got ideas. I've been in football for 20 years. So I know what I'm talking about," he continued.
"I'll certainly give something to the club. Whether it's enough? Who knows. I trust my knowledge and knowledge of the game.
"I think the players will help too. They'll help me and I'll help them."
Zola had been working with Italy's Under 21s prior to being appointed by West Ham and the Chelsea legend has admitted it was a negative to leave behind a job he enjoyed greatly.
Unsettled
"It's very good working with the young players. At the beginning I was unsettled because I liked what I was doing, but I couldn't say no.
"I'm very happy to have accepted. It's a great opportunity and I'm sure I can do good for this club."
The former Italy international scored no less than 89 goals during his time at Stamford Bridge and he is promising Hammers fans attacking football under his reign.
"My philosophy is to play offensive football if I can because I trust it. We have to make it enjoyable for the players and then for the club and fans.
"Obviously we'll have to be a balanced team, but the philosophy will be to play attacking football."
No decision
It has been suggested Steve Clarke could be brought to Upton Park as Zola's No.2, although the Italian has no plans other than working with caretaker manager Kevin Keen.
"For the moment I'll bring a fitness coach Antonio Pintos and then I will start working with Kevin Keen and see how it goes."
Zola has played down suggestions accepting the West Ham post could simply be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
"I like to think and work one step at a time. This is a very important part of my life and I'm totally focused on what I'm doing.
"What the future holds, who knows? The present is this club, who have faith in me and I hope to work for them."
