Former West Ham United chief Gianluca Nani says ex-Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is ready for the Lazio job.

Chelsea legend Zola is being linked with Lazio as a replacement for Edy Reja.

"Zola is my friend and I respect him a great deal," Nani told Radio Mana Mana Sport.

"I don't know if he will go to Lazio, but I can only speak highly of him and his football. I brought him to West Ham when he didn't have much experience on club benches. He did very well with us and finished eighth in the first year with players who now can't get a game in a lower division.

"He is ready to be a Coach in Italy, as when a tactician is good then he can make it in any League. Having said that, England is not Italy, while I'm not sure Pep Guardiola would suit Serie A.

"Reja has done a good job at dealing with a series of incredible unexpected circumstances. At times he barely even had 11 players to start a game. Lazio's campaign was positive compared to their initial ambitions."