The story of Italian’s past decade provides an illustration of the difficulties experienced by so many creative players who set out to translate their talents to the manager’s roleGianfranco Zola left the manager’s job at Birmingham City on Easter Monday, the local paper said “with dignity”. His decision acknowledged the implications of supervising only two victories in 24 matches and he was praised for turning up to explain himself rather than slinking out of the back entrance. The manner of his going was consistent with the class he had shown during a 20-year playing career that took him from an amateur team in his native Sardinia to glory with Napoli, Parma and Chelsea, and to 35 senior international appearances for...
The Italian striker symbolised Chelsea’s transformation in the 1990s, and his stunning solo goal in his sixth match for the club served notice of his talent to an English game still emerging from its earlier parochialismFor students of foreign football, the names in Chelsea’s team for their game against West Ham United on 21 December 1996 rolled off the tongue. Dan Petrescu at right-back, Ruud Gullit and Roberto di Matteo in midfield, Gianfranco Zola up front, Frode Grodas in goal. Michael Duberry and Steve Clarke in central defence. Craig Burley and Eddie Newton in the middle of the park. Neil Clement at left-back.No doubt you will have spotted how that intro veered off course. You’re probably also wondering why you...
The Italian walked to the dugout to no fanfare and saw his new team lose 2-1 to Brighton but many fans cannot understand why he has replaced Gary RowettHad you arrived at St Andrew’s on Saturday having not read any news in the previous week, you would not have known Birmingham had a new manager. As Gianfranco Zola walked towards the dugout there was no fanfare, no introduction, no real hearty welcome from the home supporters. Some handshakes, a couple of autographs, a few more photographers than usual, but the fans of Birmingham did not greet their new leader like a new hero, arriving in town to save the day.That is at least partly because not many of them can...