Exclusive: David Moyes and Frank Rijkaard on West Ham hit-list

David Moyes and Frank Rijkaard have emerged as shock contenders for the West Ham manager's post.

Key Upton Park board members are keen on Moyes, who has yet to sign a new contract at Everton.

Rijkaard, who stepped down as Barcelona coach this summer, is seen as an exciting option. However, the Dutchman has said he wants to take a year's sabbatical from the game.

The Hammers' hierarchy recognise they may have problems convincing Rijkaard the Upton Park vacancy is a big enough platform for his talents.

Leading Italian clubs declared their interest in Rijkaard when he announced his departure from the Nou Camp.

He led Barca to Champions League glory two years ago and his determination to play attractive, attacking football would be popular with Hammers fans.

Roberto Donadoni was interviewed for the job of succeeding Alan Curbishley at Upton Park on Friday night. Donadoni stepped down as Italy's national boss after their disappointing show at this summer's Euro 2008 finals.

But West Ham insiders claim Donadoni has won the support of technical director Gianluca Nani.

A West Ham source said: "It is vitally important we appoint the right person who can work within the structure of the club.

"We plan to hold a series of interviews in the coming days before we are in a position to identify the right candidate to take the club forward."

West Ham officials flew to Italy yesterday hoping to speak directly with Roberto Mancini, the former Inter Milan coach, in the next few days. Mancini's record at club record is impressive having won three consecutive Serie A titles with Inter.

His failure to guide Inter to Champions League glory finally cost him his job in the summer, when he was replaced by Jose Mourinho.

He was interested in succeeding Avram Grant at Chelsea before the Blues opted for Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The number of Italian coaches being courted emphasises Nani's influence as technical director. As well as knowing the likes of Donadoni and Mancini, he recognises that they will work within the management structure at the club.

The Hammers were forced to pull out of a move for former boss Harry Redknapp after baulking at the projected £20million price of his return.

And Portsmouth officials made it clear that any formal request to speak to Redknapp would be firmly rejected.

Within the current Premier League bosses Moyes fits the bill as a bright coach who has led his club into upper reaches of the top flight. Whether Everton will entertain allowing their boss to talk to West ham is another matter.

Those close to him claim he is close to agreeing a new contract at Goodison Park but has raised serious reservations about his transfer budget.

But there is a potential problem with the Premier League chairmen's charter, which states that topflight clubs will not poach rival managers during the season without the rival club's permission.