Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

After the sacking of Alan Curbishley last week, there have been numerous rumours over who will be the next West Ham manager. It appears Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is one of the front runners, along with compatriot Roberto Donadoni...

Gianfranco Zola at West Ham: A Good Thing For Chelsea?

by Alan McGuinness (Columnist)

4

336 reads

Opinion

September 07, 2008


After the sacking of Alan Curbishley last week, there have been numerous rumours over who will be the next West Ham manager.

It appears Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is one of the front runners, along with compatriot Roberto Donadoni.

Zola was interviewed for the second time on Sunday, and according to reports he impressed the West Ham hierarchy.

While West Ham are one of Chelsea’s sworn rivals, Zola taking over at the East London club would be good news for the Blues faithful.

First, it would give Zola a chance to cut his managerial teeth and gain some Premier League experience. The success of his spell at West Ham would be an indicator as to how well he would do if he was given the top job at Chelsea. If he succeeded, it would show Chelsea fans that Zola has the potential to return to Chelsea one day as manager.

If he wasn’t successful, it would show that Zola isn’t quite ready to make the step up. This would likely prevent him from managing Chelsea in the immediate future, but with further managerial experience he could improve and use his time at West Ham as a foundation to build upon.

Seeing the diminutive Italian holding aloft a trophy with the Hammers would be a bit galling to Chelsea fans, but in the long term the pros would definitely outweigh the cons.

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

4 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Salomon Gonzales 10 months ago

    If it comes down to him or Donadoni, West Ham would be foolish to choose Zola. As much as I love him, Donadoni has more credentials and experience...

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. Alan McGuinness 10 months ago

    What might sway it in Zola's favour is that he has said that he wants to play attacking football, at least that's what the press are reporting.

    Apparently Wise is keen for Zola to take over at Newcastle, which would be interesting.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  3. Andrew Kearney 10 months ago

    From what I understand a lot of hammers aren't happy about Zola because of his Chelsea connection.
    And if West Ham were to, god forbid, beat Chelsea, what effect would that have on Chelsea fans?

    Regardless, West Ham need someone proven who can bring some stability to their club.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. Alan McGuinness 10 months ago

    For me, Zola will always be a legend for what he did at Chelsea, and I can understand it if he wants to take over at West Ham and gain some PL experience.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.