The Italian, 42, won the famous old trophy twice during his time as a player at Chelsea - the first, in 1997, only six months after his arrival in England from Parma when he scored four goals en route to the final against Middlesbrough.

Zola, who was appointed to his first managerial post in mid-September, would like nothing more than to emulate that success with his new club.

"Winning the first FA Cup was the best achievement in my career, because it came as a surprise," said Zola, whose side face a tricky fourth-round tie at Hartlepool tomorrow.

"I did not expect the crowd to be so enthusiastic when we came out on the bus to celebrate down the Kings Road - it was fantastic.

"I remember my father was climbing up a lamp post to try to get the view of a bus. I will never forget that. It was unbelievable."

The Hammers boss continued: "At Chelsea, we had a fantastic team with an excellent relationship - I would encourage that here because the environment where you work is vital to success.

"What we try to do is to create the right environment for everyone to work - if you can do that, you are already a step ahead in what you want to achieve.

"You make it into a place where people enjoy to be, where people are all working along you. If you stick to these principles, it is difficult to fail."

Zola maintains the FA Cup has lost none of its special appeal, despite perhaps not be treated in the same regard by some of the Barclays Premier League clubs.

"It is a wonderful competition. I like the formula where everyone has a chance," he said.

"I hope all the clubs, including the top clubs, value the competition because it is not just about them it is about all of the teams who play in it.

"The value and worth of this cup has to be kept high all the time."

Zola added: "It would be fantastic to win it again as a manager. I am sure I would enjoy it as much as when I was playing."

The Hammers have improved in recent weeks, now sitting eighth in the Premier League table following a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Striker Carlton Cole has found his form, scoring a goal in each of those consecutive appearances.

The 25-year-old was in the Chelsea youth ranks when Zola was leading the line at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian believes Cole - said to be the subject of interest from Tottenham - is now showing much more maturity in his game.

"A lot is down to the fact that he believes in himself more," said Zola.

"Now it has got to a point in his life where he's 26 and more mature.

"The experience he has had has made him stronger and I believe he likes working with us.

"He found a way to get the best out of himself. This is the main secret."

Zola added: "Young players need consistency because they can't get on the pitch and perform well every single week.

"He did that here, then dropped his form, but we kept playing him and he is paying us back."

Defender Matthew Upson maintains none of the West Ham players will take the challenge of the League One side lightly at Victoria Park tomorrow.

"It will be a tough game and they are going to throw everything at us," he said.

"Every game you go into, whether it is Hartlepool or Arsenal, you have got to have the same mentality and the same winning attitude."