Gianfranco Zola has emerged as the clear favourite to become the next West Ham manager, BBC Sport understands.
Former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni also impressed West Ham's board during his interview, but Zola's Premier League experience has given him the edge.
The former Chelsea star is assistant coach of Italy's Under-21s and West Ham will hold further talks with Zola and the Italian Football Association.
Zola, 42, could be unveiled at a Thursday news conference.
He will be involved with Italy's Under-21 team for their match against their Croatia counterparts on Tuesday.
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Bilic is believed to have wanted to combine managing West Ham and his country's national team until the end of the year.
The Hammers hierarchy met on Monday to discuss the prospective candidates for the post and although Zola was deemed the leading figure, Donadoni was not far behind.
Donadoni was manager of the Italian national team before leaving the post after their quarter-final exit to Spain at Euro 2008.
But he has no experience of the English top flight and Zola's stint of almost seven years as a player at Chelsea is believed to have worked in his favour.
Michael Laudrup was also in the frame to succeed Alan Curbishley, who resigned on 3 September, but he has agreed to take over at Spartak Moscow.
(BBC)
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