(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
A few months ago, namely on the 11th of September 2008, Gianfranco Zola was revealed as the new manager of West Ham United. He was faced with an uphill task as the club were in a perilous position in the Premiership and their squad looked out of balance after selling important players such as Anton Ferdinand. They were in dire need of an uplifting spirit.
Furthermore, shortly after his appointment, it was revealed that Chairman Björgólfur Guðmundsson had lost much of his fortune in the collapse of Icelandic banks, and as a result the club would have to sell further players just to keep afloat. Notably in the January transfer window Craig Bellamy was sold to Manchester City.
Zola turned out to be just what West Ham needed. At the beginning of his reign, Zola made quiet but assured progress with his Hammers side.
They have continued to quietly improve, and despite not making many back pages with their form have now risen to a 7th place which usually would seem more than respectable, but in the situation seems near miraculous. They even have an outside chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
Zola has taken a club that was in deep trouble and could have easily joined the "fallen giants" club along with Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Charlton etc.
Furthermore, Zola has turned around the career of Carlton Cole, resulting in an (albeit short) England call-up; quite a turnaround for a striker who seemed destined to obscurity after a bright start to his career.
Zola, along with his assistant Steve Clarke, have literally been lifesavers for West Ham United, and that is why Gianfranco Zola gets my nomination for Manager of the Season 2008-09.
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