Former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola agreed Wednesday to become West Ham’s new manager, replacing Alan Curbishley who quit last week after he accused the club of selling off players before consulting him.

The Italian is set to sign the contract Thursday when he arrives in London. Zola, who is leaving his job as deputy manager of Italy’s U-21 team, and is expected to be introduced at a news conference on Friday. “I only know one way to play: on the floor, attacking football,” Zola was quoted as saying by Wednesday’s editions of London’s Daily Mail. “I want to excite people, that is why we play, isn’t it? … I was an offensive player who only knew one way to play. That is how my teams will always play.”

The former Italy international spent seven seasons at Chelsea as one of the most exciting strikers in the Premier League and was voted the team’s greatest player in a fan poll conducted last year.

“I know there is a rivalry between Chelsea and West Ham, but that is not a problem,” said Zola. “My playing career is in the past.”

Curbishley quit last week and accused the club’s board of selling players against his wishes.