Former Chelsea forward Gianfranco Zola is being lined up for the vacant manager's job at Birmingham City, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC.
Birmingham are looking for a new manager following the surprise sacking of Gary Rowett on Wednesday with the Blues sitting in seventh spot in the Championship table.
Rowett has done an impressive job at Birmingham since taking over in October 2014 and guided the relegation-threatened side to a top 10 finish, while stabilising the club during difficult times off the pitch.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Birmingham's new Chinese owners Trillion Trophy Asia are looking to bring in a high-profile name to replace Rowett and Chelsea legend Zola fits the bill.
Zola has been out of work since June when he was sacked as coach of Qatari side Al-Arabi after just one season in charge.
The 50-year-old is keen to get back into management and has set his sights on a return to England.
Zola, who was voted Chelsea's greatest ever player by fans after almost seven years at the West London club, has enjoyed managerial stints at West Ham United and Watford before.
The Italian spent two years in charge at West Ham and he guided Watford to the Championship playoff final in his first season in charge only to lose to Crystal Palace.
He had a spell at former club Cagliari in Serie A in December 2014, but was sacked three months later before taking charge at Al Arabi in July 2015.