Zola agrees terms after West Ham pass on Bilic

Gianfranco Zola yesterday agreed terms on a three-year deal to become West Ham United's new manager. If all goes to plan, he is due to fly into London today ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture away to West Bromwich Albion.

Although there remained intense focus on the future of the Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, last night, with the former defender, who turns 40 today, having been on West Ham's shortlist, club sources insisted that a deal had been agreed with Zola and he is expected to take over.

There has been strong backing within the club for an approach to Bilic, who is wanted by Newcastle United also, to be made, although West Ham have been hampered in their attempts to speak to him. That has partly been because of the build-up to the two World Cup qualification games that Croatia have been involved in, including last night's fixture against England.

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It now appears that West Ham have moved on and Zola will become the 12th permanent manager in the club's history. Details of his appointment should be released later today, when it is hoped that Zola will attend a media unveiling, but it is understood that he has agreed a three-year deal on a salary of around £1.5m a year.

Zola's lawyer Fulvio Marrucco was at Upton Park yesterday to finalise the details of his contract, with West Ham insisting that nothing should be read into how long it has taken them to go through the terms. "Gianfranco is a very proper person, very thorough and wants to go through every detail," a club source said.

Zola has also informed West Ham that, after three years away from England, he will move his wife and children back to London and wants to commit himself fully to the club. He has promised an attacking, expansive style of play and is also interested in West Ham's history of developing players.

It is also expected that today there will be an announcement on Zola's backroom staff. West Ham are considering making an approach to Chelsea to speak to their assistant manager, and Zola's former team-mate, Steve Clarke. They will also appoint another Italian, Antonio Pintus, as fitness coach. Pintus also used to work at Chelsea, as well as Juventus. There will also be a place for Kevin Keen, the reserve team manager who has been put in temporary charge and will oversee the game at The Hawthorns.

There has been some concern over a growing Chelsea influence at the club, but West Ham are understood to have been heartened by their supporters' largely positive reaction to Zola who they believe is popular enough to transcend club loyalties. Nevertheless, it does represent somewhat of a risk given the 42-year-old, who will succeed Alan Curbishley following his resignation last week, has never managed a club side before.

Zola will work closely with West Ham's technical director, Gianluca Nani, who has pushed his candidacy after a meeting in Rome last Saturday.

It appears that the choice of West Ham's new manager came down to a straight choice between Zola and Roberto Donadoni – who withdrew from the race on Tuesday after it was confirmed Zola had been made an offer – after the club failed to speak to Bilic.

Zola does not have the required coaching qualifications but is working towards the Uefa Pro Licence, which is mandatory for Premier League managers, but there is not expected to be a problem in him being ratified. Paul Ince, the Blackburn Rovers manager, did not have either the Pro or B Licence when appointed this summer.