• Brooking says owners’ role will need to be discussed
• Some managers may be unhappy at interference

Sir Trevor Brooking hassuggested that any new West Ham United manager may want assurances that co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold will take more of a back seat.

Gianfranco Zola was sacked by West Ham yesterday after 18 months in charge, following a turbulent season in which the club narrowly avoided relegation and with the Italian repeatedly at odds with the owners after they bought the club in January. Zola claimed he was in the dark over a bid for West Bromwich Albion’s Graham Dorrans and was unhappy at Sullivan branding one performance “shambolic” and “pathetic” and telling a newspaper every player was up for sale except for Scott Parker.

Some big names have been linked with the vacancy but the likes of Avram Grant, Mark Hughes and Martin Jol are unlikely to take kindly to such a high level of interference from the boardroom.

“Every club is different and every owner is different,” said Brooking. “We’ll have to see what happens over the summer. I’m sure there will be discussions about how it’s going to operate. That’s for the new person to try to get some clarity before they come in.”

Zola guided the Hammers to a creditable ninth-placed finish last season, but the financial crisis at Upton Park meant no chance of a repeat this time around.

“It’s a shame he’s gone, he tried hard at the club and did well in the first season, probably over-performed,” added Brooking. “But then we had the financial issues and players were sold. James Collins to Aston Villa in August was a big loss – we had quite a few clean sheets the season before and not too many this time.

“Everyone was disappointed to see Gianfranco go. The top priority was to stay up. West Ham fans are used to rollercoasters but it’s going to be a challenge to whoever comes in.”

West Ham UnitedPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk

• Manager knew nothing of Graham Dorrans bid
• Owners put everyone bar Parker up for sale

Gianfranco Zola’s fractured relationship with David Sullivan and David Gold, the West Ham co-owners, has been further damaged by the Italian’s revelation that he knew nothing of the club’s £4m bid for Graham Dorrans, the West Bromwich Albion midfielder, or the announcement this week that all of his players, apart from Scott Parker, are for sale this summer.

It is the latest blow to the manager, who feels he has been undermined by some of the public statements made by the owners, particularly Sullivan, since they bought the club in January.

Zola will consider his future as manager at the end of the season. It is thought he is seriously thinking of seeking a settlement on his contract and then walking away, having secured West Ham’s Premier League status.

Regarding the bid for Dorrans he said: “I just found out in the newspapers. It was quite a surprise. I know he is a good player and had a very good season but I didn’t know the club was interested in him. He is a good player but I am not prepared to say at the moment whether he would be in my interests for next year.”

Zola also had to listen this week to Sullivan’s announcement that the squad, minus Parker, is for sale this summer. The manager criticised the decision: “If I was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon Behrami I wouldn’t be very pleased to hear that. I didn’t know. It is not pleasant. You don’t like it but this is the way it goes.”

Zola did not attempt to hide his displeasure at again discovering the club’s business had been aired publicly before he had been briefed. He said: “I have been surprised so many times this year – so I am not surprised that I am surprised.”

Zola did indicate that he has a more cordial relationship with Gold – Sullivan was particularly critical of the West Ham squad when publicly labelling them “pathetic” and “shambolic” in an open letter on the club’s website following last month’s defeat by Wolves.

“David Gold has always been supportive and he has stayed close to us,” Zola said. “It is good. He is always here before the matches and that is something I appreciate.” Zola added that at the close of the campaign, which ends on Sunday week, he will meet Gold and Sullivan for discussions. “At the end of the season when I talk to them they will let me know what their regime will be. Regarding my future, it is something that will have to be discussed at the end of the season when I will have a meeting with the owners.

“The team has been through so many difficult situations and achieved their task. We have fought against the difficulties. We know we didn’t do brilliantly. But, when you consider the situation, I will look at my players and say ‘Well done’. It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of things that weren’t working very well but we stuck together.”

West Ham play Fulham, the Europa League finalists, at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

West Ham UnitedGianfranco ZolaPremier LeagueJamie Jacksonguardian.co.uk