Revealed: How defeat to Wolves caused major problems for Birmingham City's old owners
West Ham co-owner David Gold insists the club have not started the process of finding a successor to current manager Gianfranco Zola.
The future of the Hammers boss is in doubt after Gold's partner David Sullivan admitted that the Italian could resign at the end of the season.
Zola has had a fractious relationship with the pair since they rescued the club from the brink of administration with a £50million takeover in January.
Zola was thought to be upset at the open letter which Sullivan wrote to the club's fans, apologising for West Ham's "pathetic" 3-1 home defeat to Wolves.
The former Chelsea striker has since dragged the Hammers out of the relegation zone and last weekend's 3-2 win over Wigan effectively ensured their top-flight status for another year.
Zola is still thought to be considering his future though, while FC Twente manager Steve McClaren and Portsmouth's Avram Grant have been reportedly lined up as his successor should the Italian choose to leave.
Gold denied that the club have started making plans for next season without Zola, but also admitted there is a very real possibility that the 43-year-old could move on this summer.
"I have not spoken to, and am not speaking to, any other managers about taking over at West Ham," Gold told Press Association Sport.
"I haven't spoken to Franco since Sunday but what I do know is that he's preparing for the away match at Fulham (on Sunday).
"We have £3million of prize money to play for so we're concentrating on that.
"I'm going to the training ground on Friday as usual. I'll talk to him then.
"I hope he stays, but him leaving is a scenario, it is a possibility.
"He has had a tough time. He's had three years at West Ham and for a good part of that time he didn't know who was running the club. He's had bad luck as well.
"He could say I have done a fantastic job, I have got West Ham out of jail when I was given a chance and I have managed to go through all that and keep West Ham in the Premier League.
"He just might say 'I have done it, I'm exhausted and I'm going back to Sardinia.'
"You could make a case for it. Do I believe that he will? There's always a possibility."
Sullivan claimed that the likes of Carlton Cole, Matthew Upson and Robert Green could be on their way out of Upton Park this summer should they be subject to large bids from other clubs.
Sullivan also said that captain Scott Parker would be the only player guaranteed to stay at West Ham, but Gold insists he wants all the club's star players to stay.
"I hope our best players will be with us next season," Gold said. "I hope they sign new contracts and remain settled at the club.
"There are players who will say that I want to go back to where I came from, I'm homesick.
"I can't speak for David (Sullivan), but knowing him as I do I think what he meant was that there isn't a player in the land who isn't for sale.
"Wayne Rooney would be for sale for £200million. In reality, all players are for sale. It's common sense, it's not brain surgery."
