Source: SKY_Sports
Zola joy at new contract
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has revealed his delight at signing a new contract with the club.[LNB] Zola joined the Hammers in the first few weeks of the current season and has since manged to lead his side to a high of seventh in the league, with the club still in the running to qualify for the inaugural Europa League next season[LNB]The Italian is believed to have put pen to paper on a four-year contract alongside assistant manager Steve Clarke, and Zola has told Sky Sports that he believes West Ham to be a club with real ambition.[LNB]"I have just signed a new contract and I'm very happy," the 42-year-old announced.[LNB]"At the club we have a very good project in my opinion. The coaching staff along with (chief executive) Scott Duxbury and (technical director) Gianluca Nani are trying to build up something which I'm sure has a future.[LNB]"I'm committing to it and we're going to be working very hard to make it successful."[LNB]Narrow lossZola's contract news was somewhat tempered though by the 1-0 defeat at Upton Park to local rivals Chelsea.[LNB]A solitary goal from Salomon Kalou clinched the win for the away side, while Hammers fans also had to suffer the pain of seeing Mark Noble miss a penalty that would have drawn the game level.[LNB]However in the aftermath, Zola was understandably philosophical about losing so narrowly to one of the country's top teams.[LNB]"We certainly didn't play to our normal standard but I can't really blame anybody for this because things have gone fantastically so far and it was difficult today," Zola reflected.[LNB]"It was a big task we were asking from the players today, so they have all my appreciation for what they are doing and I'm sure we are going to have better opportunities."[LNB]
