Gianfranco Zola will return to Chelsea as Maurizio Sarri’s assistant, the club announced today.
Regarded by many as one of the club’s greatest players, Zola spent seven years at Stamford Bridge making 311 appearances. During that time, he won the European Cup Winner’s Cup, European Super Cup, as well as the English FA Cup and League Cup.
The mercurial midfielder is remembered fondly by supporters. Some are already hoping he will become Chelsea boss in the future. For now, he joins former Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri as a new era dawns in West London.
Frustrated by the club’s failure in the Premier League and Champions League last season, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sacked Antonio Conte as coach earlier this month. Sarri’s official unveiling as new Chelsea head coach took place earlier this week. It ends a period of uncertainty at the club with speculation over Conte’s future dominating headlines.
Sarri acted quickly to appoint a clearly delighted Zola.
“I am very much looking forward to the challenge in general,” the former Italy international said. “I would love us to start well and we are all very excited to start this new adventure.”
Zola previously coached in England at West Ham United, Birmingham City, and Watford. He achieved limited success with those clubs but now at Chelsea, one of the richest in the world, expectations are a lot higher.
