Alan Curbishley has sent his congratulations to Gianfranco Zola upon his appointment as West Ham United manager.

Curbishley, who walked out on West Ham last week, told The Sun: "I want to congratulate Gianfranco Zola on getting the job and wish him all the best, and I mean that.

"I'm bitterly disappointed that I had to make the decision to leave the club.

"I grew up in Canning Town supporting the club, played for them and was lucky enough to become one of very few managers of West Ham United.

"But the way things unfolded I had to resign because I couldn't accept what was going on. And if I had stayed, then I would have condoned it."