West Ham sack manager Gianfranco Zola after traumatic season

• Zola's contract terminated with immediate effect
• Board 'would like to thank him for his contribution'

West Ham have sacked manager Gianfranco Zola. Photograph: Daniel Hambury/PA

West Ham United have sacked manager Gianfranco Zola after a traumatic season which nearly ended in relegation.

Zola, who took charge in September 2008, led the side to just seven home wins in a campaign disrupted by public criticism from the club's new co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold. They finished fourth from bottom, five points above Burnley.

The announcement was made following a meeting between Zola and the owners to discuss the club's future structure. The future of his assistant Steve Clarke is unclear.

Mark Hughes and Slaven Bilic have been linked with the vacancy.

A club statement said: "West Ham United can confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola.

"The Board of Directors would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future. The club will now be focusing its efforts on seeking a replacement."

guardian.co.uk

Sacked Gianfranco Zola condemns West Ham co-owner David Sullivan

• Zola angered by 'adverse comments from within the club'
• Italian left 'extremely disappointed' with decision

Sacked West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has criticised the club's co-owner David Sullivan. Photograph: Stephen Pond/Empics

Gianfranco Zola has expressed his "disappointment" at being sacked as manager of West Ham United and fired a parting shot at the co-owner David Sullivan for destabilising the team.

Zola was dismissed by the club today after a dismal season that nearly ended in relegation to the Championship. As he attempted to steer the team out of danger at the foot of the table, he was also having to deal with comments from Sullivan.

The co-owner apologised to supporters for a "shambolic" and "pathetic" performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers in March as Zola's position became increasingly isolated.

There were also suggestions Zola was unaware of moves to make the entire first team squad, except for Scott Parker, available for transfer and that he was kept in the dark over a bid for West Bromwich Albion's midfielder Graham Dorrans.

"I am extremely disappointed to be leaving West Ham United," Zola said in a statement issued through the League Managers' Association.

"Over recent weeks, I have been the subject of various adverse comments, from within the club, which have been widely reported in the media. Despite what has been a very difficult period for me, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at West Ham.

"I would like to sincerely thank the players and my staff for their continued support, hard work and commitment. I am extremely proud of their efforts, over a long and difficult season, in retaining West Ham's place in the Premier League.

"West Ham is a great club, with fantastic supporters and I wish the club every success in the future. The termination process of my contract is now in the hands of the LMA and I therefore will be making no further comment at this stage."

The LMA's chief executive, Richard Bevan, hinted that Zola had little support from the owners – who took control of the London club in January. He also believed that Zola would not have to wait for another crack at management.

"Clear communication and a supportive framework at the top of a football club are essential for stability and delivering results," said Bevan.

"Gianfranco has had to manage his team through a period of significant uncertainty at the club and has shown dedication, resilience and commitment to his players, staff and the fans.

"Without a doubt Gianfranco is a talented young manager and I am sure that in the fullness of time he will be back working in the game."

guardian.co.uk

Gianfranco Zola won only 23 of the 80 games he was in charge of West Ham United. Photograph: Barry Coombs/PA

Gianfranco Zola appeared doomed from the moment David Gold and David Sullivan strode into Upton Park in January to take charge and began what seemed a public undermining of the Italian.

Whether the 43-year-old deserved to go is the point that will now exercise supporters. While Zola's first season ended in him guiding the club to ninth place, an admirable achievement, this year's campaign was a regression.

West Ham United flirted with relegation and many fans had accepted they were destined to go down following the nadir that was the 3-1 hammering at home by Wolves on 23 March. But then a late-season run of seven points from four games allowed them to escape: they ended a place above the drop zone with 35 points, 16 fewer than last year.

That Wolves result, which had been West Ham's fifth consecutive defeat, prompted Gold and Sullivan to ramp up their good cop, bad cop act. The latter published his infamous open letter on the club's website, which was scathing about Zola's team, while Gold told anyone who would listen that the Italian was still his man.

Sullivan labelled the side "shambolic" and "pathetic" and wrote: "I was angry at the disorganised way we played, allowing Wolves too much space so that they looked like Manchester United. Individually we have some very good players but this is not being converted into a good team performance.

"Nobody at the club should delude themselves that we are a good team. The table does not lie."

The timing of Sullivan's intervention was curious. In the middle of a relegation dog-fight Zola was having to man-manage his players and now his owners, the extra plate all managers struggle to keep spinning. He had to strike a balance between repelling the notion he was "soft" (Sullivan's word when pondering if Zola could hack management), while hoping to corral enough morale from his furious players to improve performances.

Sullivan's gamble seemed to have failed when the next game, against Stoke City, was lost. But Ilan's late header at Everton rescued a point and Zola began his salvage job despite his noisy owners' struggle to stay on-message, even with themselves.

As recently as a fortnight ago Gold, whose Rolls-Royce has always been visible on press day at the Chadwell Heath training ground, said: "I'm desperately hoping he [Zola] will stay. He's been to hell and back in the last 12 months." But then, the telling contradiction: "He may feel he needs to take a sabbatical or something."

"Something" turned out to be the sack, which is a rare occurrence in these days of departure by mutual consent. West Ham's statement was terse. Part of it read: "West Ham United confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola."

While more is to emerge regarding the precise details of the former Chelsea midfielder's departure from West Ham, for the moment here is a statistic (possibly telling) from Zola's 21 months in charge: Played 80 Won 23 Lost 36.

Whether Avram Grant, Slaven Bilic or any other of the potential candidates feel comfortable working for Gold and Sullivan may become clearer over the next few days.

guardian.co.uk