West Ham are planning talks with Roberto Mancini to fill their managerial vacancy after Slaven Bilic ruled himself out of the running.

Former manager Alan Curbishley resigned following a dispute with the club's board over transfer policy.

The final straw for Curbishley is believed to have been the sale of George McCartney to Sunderland on transfer deadline day.

Curbishley claimed "significant player decisions" were made without involving him, constituting a "breach of trust and confidence".

McCartney yesterday spoke of his dismay at being dragged into the whole affair, but had nothing but admiration for his former gaffer.

The defender said: "These are strange times at West Ham and no-one really knows what is going on at boardroom level."

He added: "They (the board) have not been behind Alan Curbishley since the start of the season."

Croatia manager Bilic, a former Hammers defender, was believed to be on top of the club's shortlist, but it appears he intends to lead his national side through to the end of qualification for the 2010 World Cup at least.

He said: "I always said West Ham will be my choice when I return to England.

"However, my contract with the Croatian FA expires in 2010 and I am intending to lead Croatia in this period."

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, ex-Inter Milan coach Mancini and former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni are also thought to be contenders along with Gianfranco Zola.

No approaches have been made to Harry Redknapp or Stuart Pearce while Sam Allardyce and Paolo di Canio have been ruled out.

Others on the fringes include John Collins, former Ajax and Denmark coach Morten Olsen, Martin Jol, David O'Leary and Glenn Hoddle.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.