Gold: Zola will make rapid return

West Ham's co-chairman David Gold believes it will only be a matter of time before Gianfranco Zola returns to top-flight management. The League Managers Association confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Zola had reached a financial settlement with the Premier League club just under a month after he was sacked.Although he enjoyed a fine first season, guiding the club to a ninth-placed finish and earning a new four-year contract, the Hammers' struggle to avoid relegation and his fractious relationship with the club's hierarchy ultimately cost Zola his job.Gold's partner David Sullivan was particularly scathing of the team's performance towards the end of Zola's tenure, describing the Hammers' display in their 3-1 home defeat to Wolves as "appalling".Gold, who was not drawn into conflict with Zola during his spell in charge, insists that the amiable Italian will bounce back from the sacking by landing a top job soon."I'm delighted we've managed to come to an agreement with Franco," Gold said."I really do wish him the very best of luck. He's one of the nicest people in football that I have worked with and I'm sure he's got a future in management at the top level."He has a style which suits certain clubs and I am sure that we'll see him about in football in no time at all."

Source: Team_Talk