Source: Daily_Mail
Andy Townsend's Boot Room: Zola doesn't need executive stress
The experience of Gianfranco Zola at West Ham could be enough to put off a wholegeneration of star players from going into management.[LNB]Life has become a struggle for him and he must be very frustrated as he prepares to face his old club Chelsea at Upton Park on Sunday.[LNB]West Ham are stuck in the relegation zone and in limbo, for Zola doesn't know who is going to own the club when the transfer window opens next month.[LNB] Tough gig: Gianfranco Zola's first job in management is far from the easiest[LNB]He arrived at West Ham last year working for one set of people but that has changed once already and looks like it will change again. That is tough in his first club job.[LNB]Enlarge Zola doesn't need to put himself through an ordeal every week. I'm sure he could very happily nip back to Italy and sip some of their lovely wine every day.[LNB]So it will be fascinating to see if successful players such as Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, will follow him into management.[LNB]When I finished playing at West Bromwich Albion I could have got involved as an assistant to Gary Megson, but I'm happy that I didn't. Most people moving into management like the idea of trying to run a club, build and get things going.[LNB]The frustration for me would have been the chief executives and directors of football, who inhibit a manager.[LNB]Thebosses I played for such as Lawrie McMenemy, Ron Atkinson and JackCharlton ran their clubs from top to bottom. It just doesn't work thatway any more.[LNB]Agents get into the ears of chief executives and chairmen and I think I would have lost my rag with it all.[LNB] It must be so frustrating for ex-players like Zola. There is so much they will never be allowed to do.[LNB] Enlarge One of the reasons great players often don't become great managers is that they have to bite their lip and concede ground that they wouldn't have expected.[LNB]And if you don't make a great fist of your first job, the next one doesn't usually come along that quickly. I would like to think that Zola has a feel for the job. He always gave aconsidered opinion after a game and had respect from his team-mates. I don't see any reason why that can't continue into management.[LNB]West Ham have plenty of problems but the last thing they need now is more upheaval and a new manager with another blueprint.[LNB] Enlarge It is still early days for Zola and he hasn't been allowed to spend decent money yet, to stamp his mark. He needs the situation above him sorted out so he can assert a bit of authority and address West Ham's lack of a quality goalscorer.[LNB]There have been spells where they have looked very good but they have got to start making it tough for teams. To get to safety they will need the character to play against the best, starting on Sunday.[LNB]Chelsea haven't been playing sparkling football themselves recently and West Ham need to show they can ruffle their feathers.[LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge [LNB] Enlarge Gianfranco Zola insists: I must be the one to blame for West Ham's demiseVIDEO: Ancelotti admits Zola joined Blues because he didn't fit at Parma [LNB]
