Former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has revealed that he decided to withdraw from the race to become West Ham manager because he did not think that he was suited to the club.

Donadoni, who was dismissed by the Azzurri following their quarter-final defeat on penalties to Spain at Euro 2008, was a candidate to take over the east London club following the departure of Alan Curbishley but, despite being interviewed for the position last week, withdrew on Tuesday after Gianfranco Zola emerged as the favourite.

"I decided to take my name out of the race because the feeling was that of not being the right fit for the type of programme they [West Ham] had in mind," Donadoni told calciomercato.com. "I want to thank the London club. It gives me great honour to have been considered for the position."

The former AC Milan midfielder Donadoni, who is currently unemployed after two years in charge of Italy, has not, however, ruled out coaching in England in the future. "I don't exclude this possibility," he said. "The Premier League is a thrilling competition that has a lot of value."

Zola, meanwhile, is widely expected to be unveiled as the Hammers' new manager later on today.