Source: Daily_Mail
Zola hits back: Italian bans chairman Sullivan from West Ham team meeting
Relations between West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola and his boss David Sullivan were heading towards breaking point after the pair clashed at the club's training ground.[LNB]The row was sparked by Zola's refusal to let his employer sit in on ameeting between himself and the players. Co-chairmen Sullivan and DavidGold had already addressed the squad before Zola and his assistantSteve Clarke called a meeting to discuss Tuesday's humbling at thehands of Wolves and to prepare for tomorrow's game at home to Stoke.[LNB] Tough guy: West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola stood his ground against Sullivan[LNB]Zola wasted little time in telling Sullivan that the get-together was aprivate matter involving him, his assistant and his players. Sullivandeparted reluctantly. He is giving the management team one last chanceto get it right against Stoke.[LNB]The falling-out came on the day Sullivan chose to use the club's website to launch a stinging attack on the players' performances and the managerial ability of Zola.Sportsmail gave a taste of what was to come yesterday by publishing Sullivan's thoughts on what he described as 'an unbalanced team' in the wake of the 3-1 loss to relegation rivals Wolves.[LNB] Gold standard: West Ham struggle to deal with Wolves striker Kevin Doyle (centre)[LNB]And the full version of Sullivan's angry comments, which was also emailed to season ticket holders, made even more uncomfortable reading for Zola after his tactical acumen was questioned by his employer.[LNB]Sullivan's statement read: 'I am writing this on Wednesday morning. I had no sleep last night, having watched the shambolic performance by the team against Wolves.[LNB]'I was as angry and upset as every supporter in the stadium at the disorganised way we played, allowing Wolves too much space so that they looked more like Manchester United. This was the culmination of five defeats in a row, including an appalling performance against Bolton.'[LNB] Hammers chief: David Sullivan watches with his sons[LNB]Skipper Matthew Upson was guarded in his response but it is clear the players remain firmly behind their manager.[LNB]He said: 'If David Sullivan wants to air his views on the club'swebsite or in public then he does so he's the chairman. I wouldn'tsay, from a player's point of view, that it helps. But we onlyconcentrate on what we feel is wrong and how the coaches and managerassess the game, what they want us to do.[LNB]'And that's what we'll do, because they're in charge of the situation. They're the people we want to listen to.'[LNB]Expensive option: Ex-Man City boss Mark Hughes[LNB]Sullivan clearly feels that this last throw of the dice was necessary in order to ram home the seriousness of West Ham's situation.[LNB]Zola has already been ordered to present what amounts to a survival dossier to Sullivan and Gold outlining exactly how he plans to save West Ham from the drop.Mark Hughes has been suggested as a replacement for Zola but it is uncertain if the club would be able to meet his wage demands. The Welshman could also be a target for Celtic, who sacked manager Tony Mowbray yesterday after their humiliating 4-0 defeat by St Mirren in the SPL on Wednesday. Leicester's Nigel Pearson is also a candidate for the Parkhead post.[LNB]Earlier this year, Zola expressed his dismay that Sullivan chose the eve of West Ham's match against Birmingham to warn the club faced 'Armageddon' should they be relegated.[LNB]And only last week Zola appealed for calm on the part of the club's owners in the wake of the loss to Arsenal, saying: 'In these moments you have to keep your composure. You have to do the right things and not get emotional because you don't improve the situation.'[LNB]That appeal appears to have fallen on deaf ears but both Zola and Clarke are determined not to walk away.[LNB] Gianfranco Zola quit fears grow as West Ham board demand change in tactics to avoid relegation struggle West Ham 1 Wolves 3: Zola Hammered as Wolves rampage puts him in the dockWEST HAM FC
