Owner Gino Pozzo, whose family completed a £20m takeover of the Hornets on Friday, had hinted that the 45-year-old featured in his long-term vision for the club last month.
Zola will now hold official talks with the Pozzo's over the possibility of replacing Sean Dyche as manager at Vicarage Road, according to the Daily Express.
West Ham sacked Zola in May 2010.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sunderland | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 30 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 28 |
| 3 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 26 |
| 4 | Burnley | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 24 |
| 5 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 22 |
| 6 | Millwall | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 22 |
| 7 | Watford | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 21 |
| 9 | Swansea CitySwansea | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 19 |
| 10 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 19 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 19 |
| 12 | Norwich CityNorwich | 14 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 18 |
| 13 | Derby CountyDerby | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 14 | Stoke CityStoke | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 18 |
| 15 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 24 | -7 | 18 |
| 16 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 15 |
| 18 | Hull City | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 15 |
| 19 | Luton TownLuton | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 15 |
| 20 | Preston North EndPreston | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 15 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 15 |
| 22 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 25 | -11 | 15 |
| 23 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 14 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 23 | -11 | 10 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 27 | -14 | 9 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
