The transfer window may have shut as far as players are concerned, yet this doesn’t apply with managers, so the newspapers content themselves with speculation surrounding the vacant posts at West Ham and Newcastle. I suppose it’s inevitable that the clubs will go for similar sort of candidates, although the Magpies also need to bear in mind how popular their selection will be with the fans.

The Guardian report that Gianfranco Zola has seemingly emerged as a top target for Mike Ashley and it’s easy to see this appointment happening. After all, while the Italian is currently only managing his national Under-21 team, he is an old team-mate of Dennis Wise and his coaching skills have been highly-rated by many. Perhaps the likeable fellow will also be popular with the Toon Army, despite the Chelsea connection.

Gianfranco Zola has emerged as a leading contender to succeed Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United. Zola, who is Italy’s Under-21 coach, has had two interviews for the managerial vacancy at West Ham United but Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s owner, hopes he will come north instead.

The former Chelsea player who is regarded as the candidate most likely to appease the Geordie fans remains close friends with Dennis Wise, Newcastle’s director of football and a former Stamford Bridge team-mate. Although the 42-year-old Sardinian turned down a coaching job alongside Keegan last season he is keen to become a Premier League manager.

So how about it, Newcastle fans? With Alan Shearer unprepared to take the job, perhaps Zola could bring fresh ideas to the role and rejuvenate the team? While Wise is extremely unpopular, there’s little doubt that he would work closely with the diminutive Italian, perhaps ensuring a better level of communication than there was under Keegan?