Gianfranco Zola: Cagliari name ex-West Ham boss as head coach

Gianfranco Zola scored 10 goals in 35 games as an Italy player

Gianfranco Zola has been appointed head coach of Serie A side Cagliari.

The 48-year-old Italian replaces Zdenek Zeman, who was sacked this week with the club third bottom of the table.

Former West Ham boss Zola, who finished his playing career at Cagliari, has not coached since leaving Watford in December 2013.

Cagliari said the ex-Italy striker would take his first training session on Sunday. Their next game is against Palermo on 6 January.

Zola, who spent seven seasons as a player at Chelsea, began his managerial career at West Ham, but was sacked in 2010 after less than two years in charge.

He took charge of Watford in 2012 before resigning midway through his second season.

Cagliari have won only two of their first 16 league games this season.