Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink says West Ham United counterpart Gianfranco Zola has the potential to be a great manager.

"I see potential," said Hiddink. "I haven't seen the younger managers working, but I see some guys who, when you have a conversation with them or they appear on television, come across very intelligently.

"Zola is one of the guys who can make this change to being a manager. But I also see some English managers.

"Everyone has to start at high levels sometimes. One can need 500 games and might not feel he's suited for that job. Another one less.

"I haven't seen him (Zola) working. I see him from the outside. He's a very intelligent man. He was a brilliant footballer, a very intelligent man and player, and I think he likes to learn a lot still. But I cannot judge whether he's capable of doing that (managing Chelsea) now."