"?Gianfranco Zola has held talks with Inter Milan over succeeding Frank de Boer as head coach, according to "?Sky Italia.
Inter sacked De Boer last week after just three months in charge, during which time he only managed to win four of the club's opening 11 Serie A games, leaving them languishing 12th in the table.
The former Ajax manager's swansong proved to be a 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria and the Nerazzurri president Erick Thohir is determined to find a successor quickly and attempt to salvage the club's season.
#Pioli, #Marcelino e ora #Zola: durano di più le selezioni per la panchina dell'Inter che quelle per entrare a #XF10.@PresMoratti @Milits22 pic.twitter.com/4JygGz7I0W
Youth team coach Stefano Vecchi has been placed in temporary charge and oversaw Inter's 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the Europa League on Thursday night, a result that leaves the Italian club bottom of their group with two games left.
Former Villarreal manager Marcelino is also said to be in the running to replace De Boer and has reportedly held talks with the club's Chinese owners.
Zola, who has enjoyed mixed fortunes as a manager, may either be pursuing the head coach role, or the club might be interviewing the Chelsea legend to be Marcelino's assistant.
Do you know that #Marcelino use 4-4-2 tactic system at Villarreal! #castinginter #FCIM #amala #Inter pic.twitter.com/Kzve3cWRq5
Zola has held positions at West Ham, Watford, Cagliari and Al-Arabi, but the 50-year-old's spells at the last two lasted only three months and nine months respectively.
Marcelino, on the other hand, had an impressive record with Villarreal, guiding them to three top-six La Liga finishes and a run to the semi-final in last season's Europa League, before being surprisingly sacked just days prior to the start of this season due to irreconcilable differences with the board.