West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has clashed with co-chairman David Sullivan, it has been revealed.

The Daily Mail says the row was sparked by Zola's refusal to let his employer sit in on a meeting between himself and the players. Co-chairmen Sullivan and David Gold had already addressed the squad before Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke called a meeting to discuss Tuesday's humbling at the hands of Wolves and to prepare for tomorrow's game at home to Stoke.

Zola wasted little time in telling Sullivan that the get-together was a private matter involving him, his assistant and his players. Sullivan departed reluctantly. He is giving the management team one last chance to get it right against Stoke.