Paolo Di Canio has contacted West Ham about succeeding Alan Curbishley as the club's manager, according to his agent.

A shortlist of 30 candidates has been drawn up for the job and Di Canio's agent Phil Spencer said his client would "love to be considered".

Bookmakers' favourite Slaven Bilic is thought to be reluctant to quit as Croatia coach before the start of 2009.

"We have made moves to talk to West Ham and advised them that he wants to be considered," Spencer told BBC Sport.

"He wouldn't be putting himself up for the job if he didn't think he was capable of doing it.

"He just wants the opportunity to sit in front of the decision makers at West Ham to tell them what he would do and how he would take them forward.

"Unfortunately he can't do that unless they invite him to do so."

The 40-year-old Italian is a fans' favourite at Upton Park after spending four years as a player at the club.

Bilic refused to comment about the West Ham vacancy ahead of his country's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

"The players asked about it - they read it on the internet or the papers or whatever," said Bilic.

"But we are playing Kazakhstan on Saturday and are just concentrating on that game."

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and England Under 21 manager Stuart Pearce earlier ruled themselves out of the position.