Former West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has urged Hibs to appoint Steve Clarke as their new manager. The legendary Chelsea and Italy midfielder had Clarke as his No.2 at Upton Park, and believes he is ready to step up to be a no.1. Clarke left the Hammers in June when Zola was sacked, and now his ex boss reckons Hibs should appoint him at the helm at Easter Road to replace John Hughes. Zola said: "Stevie would be a great appointment for Hibs. "He was a brilliant assistant for me at West Ham and I believe he is ready to go into management in his own right. "Stevie has huge experience and knowledge and I believe he will be a good manager, whether it is for Hibs or somewhere else. "His best quality is his organisational skill. He is extremely thorough and his training sessions are brilliant. Players enjoy working with Stevie. "He was a great help to me as a younger manager. Having worked with a fantastic boss like Mourinho he knows the game well from every position. "I will always be grateful to Stevie for the guidance he gave me. "We spoke a lot and I have never had any doubt he has the ability to do that. "Stevie may not have worked as a coach in Scottish football, but that doesn't matter. "Football is the same everywhere and he is a Scot who knows the game inside out. He is ready."