Gianfranco Zola is expected to be named as manager of West Ham United in the next 48 hours after Roberto Donadoni, his closest rival, withdrew from the race to replace Alan Curbishley.

The Premier League club hope to make the announcement shortly and it is thought Steve Clarke, Zola's former Chelsea team-mate, could be appointed as his assistant.

The Italian may not be unveiled until Friday and is not expected to be in the dug-out for Saturday's game with West Bromwich Albion. However, it is hoped that Zola will be in the stands for the match at The Hawthorns.

Donadoni, the former Italy manager, thanked West Ham for allowing him to discuss the position but explained that he did not feel he had the full support of the club.

"I would like to thank West Ham United Football Club for approaching and speaking with me in relation to the vacant manager's position at the club," he said. "I welcomed the opportunity of speaking with such a prominent Premiership club and of course, the opportunity of coming to the English Premiership.

"However, is does appear that the board have not yet, after some time, come to an agreement and a conclusion on who the successful candidate should be.

"It is important for me to feel that I have the full support of the club and I have therefore this morning taken the decision to withdraw myself from the candidate shortlist for the club."