West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is looking forward to facing fellow Italian Roberto Mancini and his Manchester City team today.

This will be the first time that they have squared up in a coaching capacity, with Mancini having replaced Mark Hughes in the Manchester City hot-seat earlier this season.

"We have played against each other for so many years, and been competitors also for the national team," Zola told whufc.com. "I remember before the World Cup in 1994. Going to America we were in contention for a place. It was me and him [before Zola got the nod for the final squad]. We have faced each other many times.

"It will be strange to be facing each other in the dugout. We are not going to fight that is for sure. It will be pleasant."