FORMER West Ham defender Slaven Bilic has been installed by bookmakers as one of the favourites to succeed Gianfranco Zola as Hammers boss.

Zola was sacked by club owners David Gold and David Sullivan after a meeting this morning (Tuesday).

Croatia manager Bilic, who has been long been linked with the post, tops the list of candidates that also includes Portsmouth manager Avram Grant and former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes.

Zola was removed from his post after guiding West Ham to safety, albeit with the lowest Premier League points total in the club's history.

The Italian had excelled in his first season in charge, leading the Hammers to ninth place last year.