Phillip Buckley
A Chelsea legend, a supremely talented player, and possessing a reputation of world renown. On the face of it West Ham United appear to have made something of a coup by bringing in Gianfranco Zola as their new boss. But will this appointment really work out?
There can be no doubting Zola’s pedigree, the former Italian international is respected the world over. His tricks and silky skills are still fondly remembered in England. And in Italy his standing was such that his first taste of coaching came with the national team, as a coach at U21 level. Zola was appointed to the position in 2006. This is the extent of his coaching experience. More for example than Ruud Gullit had when he took the reigns at Zola’s old club Chelsea, but much less than your average Premier League manager.
Many will remember that pundits and fans alike asked questions when Paul Ince was named Blackburn manager over the summer. Being asked to step up from managing Macclesfield and Milton Keynes Dons in League Two to the Premier League was a big step. Some argued too big. Zola though can’t even compare with Ince for managerial experience. Ince has cut his teeth in the boss’s chair. Zola has parachuted straight in.
Lack of experience is not an insurmountable obstacle for Zola and shouldn’t be treated as such. He doesn’t have to look far for inspiration. As mentioned, Ruud Gullit stepped into the Chelsea hotseat and enjoyed great success. Performances on the pitch did not lead to his downfall.
A player perhaps similar to Zola in terms of style and position was Kenny Dalglish. Students of English football don’t need to be given a lecture on Dalglish’s talent. Quite simply he kept Liverpool at the top and extended their dominance of the game. It only ended once he left.
West Ham of course are in a position entirely different to that of either Chelsea, who were challenging Manchester United for the title, and Liverpool, who also expected success. Zola will probably be deemed a success if he can lead the Hammers into the top 10 this season though, so long as relegation trouble is avoided, next season is when he will be judged.
The Upton Park faithful don’t have delusions of a Champions League spot or even a UEFA Cup spot in the near future, and so equally as important as results will be the team’s style of play. If anyone wants beautiful football played, it’s Zola.
How good will Zola be at coaching? It can go one of two ways. Either he can accept technically limited players (he will find plenty at Upton Park) and work to improve them where he can, or he will quickly become frustrated with players who possess not even one tenth of his ability, and simply can’t do what he wants them to.
Other managers have experienced this. A Glenn Hoddle tale is legendary. Hoddle grouped his players together and placed a coin 70 or 80 yards away. Every player was to hit a pass and drop it on the coin. Needless to say, they all failed, and repeatedly. Hoddle grew more and more frustrated before taking the ball himself. He dropped a succession of passes right onto the coin. This didn’t inspire his players though, instead they simply became downhearted at having their lack of talent exposed. Zola must learn to cope with players that are limited, and make the best of them.
Being a supremely talented player is often not enough. Hoddle did enjoy some success, but one who didn’t is John Barnes. Barnes’ skill as a player could not be questioned, but at Celtic he endured a nightmare spell in charge. It was so bad in fact that he’s struggled to get a job since. This despite applying for jobs in divisions as low as League One.
Another side to management is discipline. How hard a manager is Zola? Would you cross him? Can he make sure he is respected and feared? Or does he want to coach as a players’ best friend? In the current big money era keeping discipline and making sure you are respected is very tricky.
Equally important will be the Italian’s backroom staff. Whenever an inexperienced former player is talked about for a big management job it’s inevitable that a senior mentor is mentioned as his assistant. Who will Zola bring in? This appointment could be more key to his chances of success than any player signing.
How much money will the West Ham board back Zola with? Rumours that the Hammers don’t have much money are nothing new. Former boss Curbishley was not backed well in the summer. Was this a tacit signal that he did not enjoy the board’s confidence? Or was there really no money left in the pot? Either way, if Zola doesn’t have much to spend his chances of success will be reduced.
What does the future hold then for Gianfranco Zola? Ultimately only time will tell, but already some are mentioning the job as a mere audition for that position some say he really wants, the managers office at Stamford Bridge. At his press conference he was asked whether West Ham was indeed just a stepping stone. I’d say that’s reporters getting too far ahead of themselves. There are no guarentees Zola will be a success, though he has the contacts and stature to have a real chance.
West Ham have taken a real gamble on Zola, be sure of that. Other options included Roberto Donadoni and Michael Laudrup, both very experienced. How the former coach of the Italian national team Donadoni, was overlooked for a mid-table Premier League job in favour of a compatriot with zero managerial experience must baffle the ex AC-Milan midfielder.
Gianfranco Zola is extremely likeable. The whole of England and Italy will wish him well. Memories of his time on the pitch are fresh in our minds, and his love of the game comes across in every sentence he utters. But in the world of cut-throat Premier League management he must learn fast. As he said himself, the time to judge is not now, but in nine months time.
