There is some friction between the West Ham board and football chief Gianluca Nani over his shortlist for the manager's job.

The Daily Mail says options were considered at length by the board yesterday but there was some friction over the short list when Nani's candidates all came from his home country, Italy.

Incredibly Paolo Di Canio was one of them, along with former Inter chief Roberto Mancini, Italy's highly respected Under 21 coach Gianfanco Zola, the little-known former Udinese manager Serse Cosmi and Donadoni.

Despite Nani's input, former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, now at the French academy in Clairefontaine, is also a contender. Other Interviews may be conducted over the weekend.