The recent news regarding the retired Italian footballer Gianfranco Zola becoming the new West Ham United manager has brought many smiles and positive thoughts to the English team fans.
Zola’s professional career background is very extend as he played for many senior Italian clubs including; Napoli, Parma and Cagliari but he spent his longest period outside Italy when he played for Chelsea from 1996 to 2003 where he achieved with the team two FA Cup victories, one League cup win in 1998, one UEFA Cup win and the 1998 European Super Cup besides being voted as Chelsea’s greatest player ever.
At the press conference with the London media Zola was very happy with his new task with the Blues and he expressed that "Football is joy. The best part of the game comes when you are enjoying what you're doing,'' he said. "So my first target will be to make it as enjoyable as possible for the players.”
He also pressed on the issue that his 20-year of experience have make him believe in playing offensive football as well as trust the hard work and a deep commitment but the most important thing is to make the players feel comfortable among each other and the possibility to talk openly as a group with a common goal.
Besides the Italian other candidates were also interviewed for the position, along some of the names mentioned there were; the Italian Roberto Donadoni as well as the Croatian Coach Slaven Bilic and John Collins, but at the end the Blues chose Zola who became West Ham’s twelfth manager with a three year contract. The former 42-year-old Italian forward and incredible talented striker retired only in 2005 and immediately began his coaching career back in his home land.
Zola’s mission ahead is not easy and he is very aware of this fact particularly due to his short experience managing clubs which has been one of the main critics he has received in the short period since the news became public. Another problem could be that the Premier League season is already on course with most English teams already in position with their moves in acquiring new players and new directors working for a common goal.
Over the weekend West Ham’s encounter with the West Bromwich Albion did not go very well as they lost by 3 to 2, one goal difference that was a real disappointment for many fans. But let’s not forget Zola has not yet taken full charge of the team and this will happen until next week, he will then have the time to plan and guide his players in the way he trusts to be more suitable for the strategies he will implement to win this year’s title in the Premier League.
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