The well-liked former Chelsea midfielder - voted Footballer of the Year in 1997 and awarded an honorary OBE four years ago - got his reign off to a perfect start in front of the Upton Park faithful when crisis-club Newcastle were beaten 3-1.

The Hammers are now up into fourth place in the fledgling Barclays Premier League table after on-loan Italian David di Michele bagged a brace to mark his home debut in style.

However, Zola knows there will be plenty of testing times ahead, but the 42-year-old is relishing the "new challenge".

"I played football always relying on my qualities and now I need to think about many things," said Zola, appointed following the resignation of former boss Alan Curbishley after a row with the board over player transfers.

"But I like challenges, testing myself on new things and I am sure I can do well at it.

"I have also got great people around me, like Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen, they will be helping me a lot and I am sure we can do a good job."

Zola, the former Italy Under-21s coach, added: "The hardest thing is that you cannot play everyone, or that you have to send a player to the stands. I know how important it is for a player to play, but unfortunately it has to be done.

"I know that sometimes I may have to be unpopular, but as long as I make sure all of my choices are honest ones, there should not be a problem.

"I just put a team sheet up - what other explanations can you give? They have to be intelligent enough to understand I can only play 11 and have seven on the bench.

"Sometimes it may be a wrong choice, but I am the one in the position to make it, so they have to respect that."

Di Michele struck after only eight minutes, his 20-yard shot deflecting up off Newcastle defender Steven Taylor and over stranded keeper Shay Given.

The 32-year-old forward, signed from Torino on transfer deadline day with a view to a permanent move, doubled the lead with a neat finish after being given too much time and space in the penalty area.

He unselfishly played in Matthew Etherington to make it 3-0 on 53 minutes.

Although Di Michele then spurned a great chance to claim his hat-trick, blasting over from 15 yards, the forward should have been teed-up in stoppage time when substitute Luis Boa Morte sprinted clear - only to hit wide with his team-mate unmarked in the centre.

Zola feels Di Michele - who served a three-month ban in Serie A during 2007 and was fined 20,000 Euros (£13,000) for illegal betting - can go on to establish himself as a firm favourite with the demanding Upton Park faithful, much in the mould of fellow Italian Paolo di Canio.

"I wish he can do as well as Di Canio did, for these supporters," said the Hammers boss.

"He has got everything in his bag to be a successful player for West Ham. We want players to become important for the club and successful.

"I told him he can do unbelievable things, but he needs to improve his finishing - which after Saturday shows he listens to me very carefully!"

Zola added: "When you have a team which is playing so well, focused and tuned in, obviously the manager's life is easier.

"If they can keep that attitude for a long time we can get a lot of satisfaction."

Newcastle, meanwhile, look set for an uncertain future both on and off the field, with owner Mike Ashley ready to sell up.

England striker Michael Owen at least salvaged a consolation with a fine strike for the visitors, who are now in the bottom three.

Caretaker boss Chris Hughton, though, maintains the players have to retain focus ahead of what is now a crunch Carling Cup clash with Tottenham at St James' Park on Wednesday.

"The only thing we can do is react to the circumstances of the moment," he said.

"At some stage they will be resolved, but at this stage nobody knows in what way they will be resolved.

"All I can do is prepare the team to the best I can, as a coaching staff we won't make any excuses.

Hughton added: "It is a great club to work in.

"I have been here since the end of February having spent all my playing and coaching career in London.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, great people, great supporters.

"It is a wonderful club and whoever will be in the reigns, they will have a wonderful job."