Zola brushes off cash concerns

15 August 2009 12:53
Gianfranco Zola has urged West Ham not to dwell on their financial problems and to push for another top-half finish this season. The Italian took charge last September with the club's Icelandic owners struggling to overcome the global economic crisis, while the Hammers' main sponsor also went into administration. And while Manchester City, who finished one place below West Ham last term in 10th, have spent almost £100million ahead of the new campaign, Czech defender Radoslav Kovac is the only player West Ham have bought so far this summer. Previous boss Alan Curbishley resigned due to differences with the board over the club's transfer policy, with the likes of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney being sold at the start of last season to balance the books. But, in a joint-interview with his assistant Steve Clarke, Zola said he is confident the Hammers' hierarchy is fully behind the existing management team. The former Chelsea striker also reckons the Hammers have enough attributes to compensate for their lack of financial clout at present and is hopeful further signings will be made this summer. "I don't think anybody at the club is interested in undermining us [he and Clarke]," he told the Daily Mail. "We can't cry about the financial problems the club have endured. I'm sure the club are trying hard to strengthen the team. "I'm sure players will arrive before the transfer window closes. But, in the meantime, we have to make sure the players we have are ready. We have some good players. Some exciting young players. "We do have a tough job," Zola added. "We are not competing with Manchester City on a financial front but on the football pitch, you never know. "Money is important but it's not everything. Sometimes good work is done with passion, enthusiasm - presence can be as valuable as many millions of pounds. A job can be done. "As long as the people realise the difficulties and understand that you cannot compete for the first five places. But if people back us, and everyone stays positive, and we believe in ourselves..." Clarke was persuaded to leave his role at Chelsea to become his former team-mate's number two at West Ham and despite a slow start, he and Zola managed to steer the Hammers to a ninth-placed finish. "There were difficult moments," said Clarke. "October and November were tough. "It required a lot of strong characters. There was a big cloud over the club but inside it was very strong. "And Franco should take a lot of credit for that. It was down to his character. He kept everyone positive. "We made a point of being bright and bubbly in front of the players and they responded." Zola admitted he may not have taken the West Ham job if Clarke had not joined him at Upton Park. And with his only previous coaching experience having been with Italy's Under 21s, Zola felt the club's decision to offer him the job was "totally insane". "I couldn't believe West Ham were asking me to be their manager, because it amounted to a massive gamble for everyone," he added. "The Premier League is very competitive and you have to be prepared for that. "They took a gamble, and I have to say they have been very good to me and I hope it is going to be successful for them. "But before I took the job I had to give it a lot of thought. I spoke to Steve, and if Steve had said 'No' I'm not sure I would have taken it." Clarke was ready for a fresh start after four successful years as Chelsea's assistant manager under Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant. "This was an opportunity for me at the right time," he explained. "A chance to challenge myself. I could have sat at Chelsea. I could have had the easiest life. "But I think every success under a different manager would have been diluted for me. It wouldn't have felt the same. "With each change it would have become less about me and more about them. So for me this was a chance to push myself. "I knew what Franco wanted. What he expected. It was a chance to work with a different group."

Source: SKY_Sports