Source: Daily_Mail
Zola is '100 per cent safe': Sullivan vows not to sack under-fire West Ham boss
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has assured uncertain manager Gianfranco Zola that is job is '100 per cent' secure at Upton Park ahead of the Hammers crucial home Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham.[LNB]The Italian boss yesterday slammed Sullivan for undermining his relegation-threatened team in the build-up to tonight's key game after the new co-owner revealed in a newspaper interview that the manager and the players must soon take a pay cut.[LNB]But Sullivan stressed that the former Chelsea idol, in his firstmanagerial job since replacing Alan Curbishley at the helm in September2008, has nothing to fear.[LNB] No pressure: New West Ham co-owner David Sullivan insists Zola's job is safe[LNB]'Gianfranco is entitled to his opinion and I respect that. I hopethat it will galvanise the team and the manager for what is a big gametonight against Birmingham,' Sullivan told Sky Sports News.[LNB]'If we win then he will have made his point but if we lose I will have made mine.[LNB] MARTIN SAMUEL: Gianfranco Zola is like Ossie Ardiles... nice bloke, but as useful as Bungle in a fight to the deathZola hits back at West Ham co-owners Sullivan and Gold over wage cut shock Without a win in five games, West Ham have dropped into the bottomthree having taken just two points from a possible nine since Sullivanand Gold replaced Icelandic creditors Straumur last month.[LNB]But, according to a report in this morning's Telegraph,Zola cannot be sacked until June under a 'shareholders agreement'signed when Sullivan and Gold took on their 50 per cent holding of theeast London club.[LNB]'One thing is for certain Zola's job is 100 per cent secure. In 17 years myself and David [Gold] have sacked just two managers. We're not sackers,' Sullivan added.[LNB]'We support managers and he (Zola) is safe. We will bring in players to improve the team in the summer.'[LNB] Calling the shots: David Sullivan and David Gold want to reduce West Ham's debts[LNB]Gold and Sullivan face former club Birmingham for the first timethis evening and the latter reiterated his belief that his new club,West Ham, are 'bigger'.[LNB]Not bigger but better: Ex-Iron Lee Bowyer scored Birmingham's winner when they last met West Ham[LNB]'Statistically Birmingham are the better team, having lost just onegame in their last 16, but in terms of the bigger club it is West Ham,' he said.[LNB]'For instance on Google, Birmingham will attract maybe a million anda half search hits but compare that to West Ham which is around 10million. [LNB]'All the statistics support that West Ham are the bigger club. [LNB]'But Birmingham are a very good side. I don't see it as a grudge match. [LNB]'I see this as just another game and one where we really do need to getthree points[LNB]'And I am very confident that over the next 14 games, the team will improve and we will claw our way up the table.[LNB]Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes, dismissed at Eastlands two months ago, is thought to be one of the frontrunners to replace Zola should the Italian walk out, along with Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, a one-time West Ham fans favourite.[LNB] MARTIN SAMUEL: Gianfranco Zola is like Ossie Ardiles... nice bloke, but as useful as Bungle in a fight to the deathZola hits back at West Ham co-owners Sullivan and Gold over wage cut shock [LNB] Explore more:People:David Gold, Gianfranco Zola, Alan Curbishley, MARK HUGHES, David SullivanPlaces:Birmingham, Croatia
