The Italian was linked with a move to Chelsea following the shock dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has been replaced until the end of the season by Guus Hiddink.

However, the former Blues forward made it clear he is committed to the Hammers, having only been appointed in mid-September.

"Nowadays it is difficult because people want results straight away, but that does not happen in football," said Zola, whose side host Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round tomorrow.

"There is no manager in the world that can change a team in a few weeks unless you can spend millions of pounds on top class players.

"My job here is not finished and I always focus on the short term. I want to improve this team and to give something more. I have not given enough.

"I do not like planning long-term, and always like to stick to the present.

"I do not know what the future holds - if you asked me seven months ago if I would be a manager I would have said no."

Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson is welcoming the cup distraction.

Boro bowed out to Championship side Cardiff in the quarter-final at the Riverside last season when Wembley beckoned, and a victory in east London would put the Teessiders back within sight of the national stadium.

"Last season we had a bad time in the cup but it's behind us now and Saturday is the one that matters," said Johnson.

"If we win we are not far from the final. It would be great to have a cup run and stay in the Premier League, both for the fans and the players."

Fulham face a tricky fifth-round trip to Swansea - as Roy Hodgson is only too aware.

"We've got to be aware we are playing a very in-form team who deservedly won their last game away to a good Premier League team (Portsmouth)," said the Fulham boss.

"They've done very well since then and they are just outside the (Coca-Cola Championship) play-off places. But we'll give it our very, very best shot because we want to stay in this competition.

"We're aware of the task ahead of us and we're full of respect for them."

In Saturday's other matches, Blackburn host Coventry, Sheffield United play Hull and Watford face Chelsea.

On Sunday, Derby host Manchester United while Everton and Aston Villa clash at Goodison Park.

Arsenal and Cardiff meet on Monday in a fourth-round replay.