On 19/7/2018 at 16:12, yorkleyblue said:

Given his managerial career so far, probably not.  Wouldn't want to tarnish his reputation at the Bridge

His spell at Birmingham has created an unfair stigma towards him in my opinion, he did well at Watford and kept West Ham up with no money.

That said i wouldn't want him to be our manager in the case of Sarri going wrong, i just don't think his record is as bad as made out.

It may be that Zola's fate will be better as a coach rather than manager, let's hope this is a successful partnership.

1 hour ago, Strider6003 said:

It may be that Zola's fate will be better as a coach rather than manager, let's hope this is a successful partnership.

That's the great thing about it, if it goes pear shaped Sarri takes all the blame not Franco. Perfect position for him.

He always comes across to me as maybe too nice to be a manager.

Still got it, never lose it lol

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news/2018/7/23/17601076/watch-zola-and-musonda-dazzle-with-casual-keepy-uppy-game

On 18/07/2018 at 20:37, Michael said:

This gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.  Welcome home!

I wish i could love this more.  His last season with is, wasn't it?  SUch a joy, and so glad he's back

9 hours ago, mad_mac said:

I wish i could love this more.  His last season with is, wasn't it?  SUch a joy, and so glad he's back

That was in his last game for us. Some players go out with a goal. Zola being the genius he is, goes out by absolutely murdering 3 players 15 years younger than him! 

It's a little ironic 2 of those 3 players are now supposed football expert pundits! 

Amusingly, from that video of his 80 Chelsea goals, it seems he was at least as good in the air as Alvaro Morata ... scored a lot of cracking headers :-)

 

A nice article about our first team assistant coach here:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/26/gianfranco-zola-delighted-chelsea-return

What is clear is that he definitely rushed into management. He practically says so himself, that he has learnt loads from Sarri already and he had a 'difficult time' at Birmingham. An understatement of course, he was diabolical as their manager.

Here is a video for the young ones about Zola

 

Apparently the bench were standing on the touchline to watch the penalty shootout, and Gianfranco told them all to squat down so the fans on the bottom tier behind them could have a clear view. God I love this guy. 

4 hours ago, Kentonio said:

Apparently the bench were standing on the touchline to watch the penalty shootout, and Gianfranco told them all to squat down so the fans on the bottom tier behind them could have a clear view. God I love this guy. 

Absolute gentleman. A Chelsea mate and his family were eating in an Italian Restaurant in Kensington. Spotted Zola in there. He wasn’t going to interupt him whilst eating but eventually walked to his table to thank him for the pleasure he’d given him as a fan. They chatted away, Gianftanco made a gesture to the restaurant manager- insisted he paid the bill for the families meal, despite protest from my mate. 

How nice is that?

When I think about it I'm not sure if we realize how fortunate we've been with some of the players/representatives we've had who've been absolute world class on the pitch and off the pitch.  I mean get Zola and Kante for a cup of tea and that's probably the most lovable table of footballers in history..... add Drogba they'd probably have world peace by the end of the week, and when Lampard takes his spot at the table they'll win the pub quiz too. 

Anyways, its an absolute joy having Zola represent our club only second to the joy of watching him play for the club....and the attitude Morata showed towards Zola was the straw that broke my back with him.   If you can't respect Zola either for what he did as a footballer or who he is as a pure class act man, then quite frankly I feel this club has no place for you....particularly if you're not ripping trees out with your performances 

What did Morata do? 

17 hours ago, yorkleyblue said:

What did Morata do? 

His lack of celebration for his brace were apparently because of Zola’s completely correct and justified comments about him made him all upset and sad, which he criticised after the game if I remember correctly. 

As far as Morata goes. Good riddance to bad rubbish.  Forever known as the bloke who was too soft for the real top football either in the Premier League or internationally.  A bench player before and now a bench player again. Just where he belongs. Zola was right to criticise, he must have been terrible to coach. 

On 26/01/2019 at 09:03, Munkworth said:

His lack of celebration for his brace were apparently because of Zola’s completely correct and justified comments about him made him all upset and sad, which he criticised after the game if I remember correctly. 

aaah.  I thought he was just being a pretentious sulky bitch

35 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

aaah.  I thought he was just being a pretentious sulky bitch

Both of them.

Seeing Zola in that old school Coors top really brings back memories. My first every football jersey and he was the reason I became a Chelsea supporter. Love the man!

Apparently Franco has been readmitted to hospital following complications from gallstone surgery, which is why he wasn’t at the game on Monday. 

Hope he recovers soon.

Get well soon, Giancarlo.

He's gone. All the best for your future Gianfranco.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/27/gianfranco-zola-chelsea-managers-job-turns-down-ambassadorial-role-leaving

3 minutes ago, Jezz said:

He's gone. All the best for your future Gianfranco.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/27/gianfranco-zola-chelsea-managers-job-turns-down-ambassadorial-role-leaving

Good luck to him. Wish him the best wherever he ends up next.

4 minutes ago, Jezz said:

He's gone. All the best for your future Gianfranco.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/27/gianfranco-zola-chelsea-managers-job-turns-down-ambassadorial-role-leaving

That's disappointing but at least it seems it's his decision, he clearly has ambitions to be more than a reliable number 2.

No idea what he’s like in management but sad to see his smiling face leave.

Absolutely love the guy.

If I came home from work and found him in the sack with my old lady, I’d probably pop downstairs and make him a nice cup of tea.

Edited June 28, 20197 yr by Ewell CFC