Michael Laudrup, who had been linked with the managerial vacancy at West Ham, is set to take over as coach of Spartak Moscow within the next 48 hours, according to the club's director of sport.

The decision now makes the appointment of an Italian manager at the Boleyn Ground all the more likely.

The former Denmark international was reportedly in Moscow over the weekend to hold talks with the Russian side, who have been looking for a new coach since the resignation of Stanislav Cherchesov last month.

Spartak director of sport, Valery Karpin, is confident they will get their man in the coming days.

"Everything went well [during our meeting]," Karpin told sport.ru.

"I think it will be sorted by Tuesday or Wednesday."

Former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola has now become favourite for the post at Upton Park.

According to press reports - supported by betting prices - he jumped ahead of former Italy manager Roberto Donadoni after the pair were interviewed over the weekend.

West Ham's director of football Gianluca Nani and ceo Scott Duxbury are preparing a report to submit to the board in the next 24 hours and it appears Croatia's Slaven Bilic, who today again ruled himself out of the running, will not be considered.

There had been speculation that the Hammers could wait until after Wednesday's international between Croatia and England before talking to Bilic and might consider allowing him to take up his new role in January.

But the club are keen to have the manager in place for next Saturday's Premier League game against West Brom, and a club spokesman all but ruled out Bilic's chances when he told BBC radio today that whoever takes over must start work immediately

Bilic has revealed that being a candidate for the job has not distracted him or his team as they prepare to meet England in Zagreb.

"In training we always make jokes. Players tease me to take them to England as well. The interest of West Ham is proof that we are doing a great job with the national team," he said.