Source: Daily_Mail
Gianfranco Zola insists he won't quit West Ham after clash with Sullivan
Gianfranco Zola said on Friday he would not walk out on West Ham, despite the pressure of losing the past five games and his row with co-chairman David Sullivan.[LNB]The criticism by Sullivan of Zola's 'shambolic', 'pathetic' and 'disorganised' team puts the West Ham boss on the brink of being sacked. Yesterday the manager said he would not be drawn into a slanging match - but went on to reveal his anguish, captured by Sportsmail's pictures (below).[LNB] 'I'm not going to retaliate. It doesn't deserve that,' said Zola, ahead of today's game with Stoke.[LNB]'I was very disappointed. I'm not going to answer back. I'm going to concentrate on my job.[LNB]'It's about responsibility. Words can be very painful; they can cause a lot of damage. Let's focus on playing and not talking - that would be a good starting point. I think the owner is entitled to have an opinion and to express it because he is the owner.[LNB]'I don't need to do the team talk tomorrow; I don't need to motivate them. They've already done that.'[LNB] Crushing blow: Wolves players celebrate this week's win at Upton Park (above) leaving the job of West ham manager Zola (below) in jeopardy[LNB] [LNB]Remarkably, Zola said he only found out about Sullivan's open letter to fans, which was posted on the club's website on Thursday and emailed to season ticket-holders, yesterday morning.[LNB]The relationship between the pair is such that Zola has not discussed the matter with Sullivan directly, although he did speak to joint chairman David Gold yesterday when he visited the training ground. Zola also admitted he has no immediate plans to raise the issue with Sullivan.[LNB]As revealed exclusively in yesterday's Sportsmail, Zola also banned Sullivan from sitting in on a meeting with the players earlier this week, although both chairmen addressed the players before Zola and his assistant, Steve Clarke, delivered their team talk.[LNB]Zola was asked if he thought Sullivan's comments were designed to provoke him into resigning - and therefore save the club the £3.5million it would cost to sack him and Clarke. The Italian, who signed a new three-year contract worth £1.9m a year at the end of last season, admitted he wasn't sure.[LNB]'I don't know,' Zola said. 'Obviously I understand the chairman, Mr Sullivan, is very much concerned about the situation. We are not in a very good position and he is concerned - and I am concerned as much as him. But I have faith in the players.'[LNB]Despite Sullivan's insistence earlier this week that West Ham will not follow Hull City's example by 'bringing in an Iain Dowie mark II' to try to ensure Premier League survival, Sportsmail understands Zola will be sacked if West Ham lose to Stoke today.[LNB]The Hammers are just three points above the drop zone, having played a game more than 19th placed Hull, with tough away fixtures at Liverpool, Everton and Fulham and a final day meeting with Manchester City at Upton Park among their remaining seven games.[LNB] Stoke star Etherington calls for Zola patience as he heads back to HammersGianfranco Zola's warning: West Ham co-owner David Sullivan should watch what he says while club fight for survivalWEST HAM v Stoke: Guillermo Franco and James Tomkins miss out for Gianfranco ZolaZola hits back: Italian bans chairman Sullivan from West Ham team meetingWEST HAM UNITED FC
