Gianfranco Zola the favorite for the West Ham job

ESPN is reporting in this article that Gianfranco Zola is emerging as the favorite to replace Alan Curbishley as manager of West Ham United. I must admit that I am amazed that West Ham would be able to interest a man like Zola in their managing position. I realize that West Ham are a fairly successful mid-level Premiership club, but what does Zola hope to accomplish with this move beyond managing the club for a couple of seasons in the hope of moving onto a bigger club? I guess thats exactly it, but there are no signs that he will be given any additional support to bring in players that he wants or that West Ham will be investing significantly in the transfer market to be able to compete with the top clubs in England. They will hope to continue to maintain their status as a mid-level Premiership club without becoming engaged in a relegation battle.

Reading through the article its amazing to see the caliber of managers or former players rumored for this position. Turn the clock back 10-15 years and you would have a world class team. How is it that all of these people are that desperate to get involved in a piece of the English Premiership that they are willing to take on the West Ham position? Please don't misunderstand me too, I have nothing against West Ham United at all. They are a fine club, known for playing attractive soccer, and all things being equal are a credit to the English Premier League. I just don't understand the nature of the game to the point that men like Mancini, Zola, Laudrup, Donadoni, etc. aren't in consideration for bigger positions within the game and within their own countries. Maybe I am just out of touch with things, but it just seems odd to me and to be honest a sad commentary of the state of the game.