Wikipedia

Gianfranco Zola

This is thelatest accepted revision,reviewedon27 November 2024.

Gianfranco ZolaOMRI[3]OBE[4](Italian pronunciation:[dʒaɱˈfraŋkodˈdzɔːla];born 5 July 1966) is an Italian football executive,manager,and formerfootballerwho played predominantly as aforward.He is currently in charge as vice-president of theLega Pro,the ItalianSerie Cfootball league.[5]

Gianfranco Zola
OMRI,OBE
Zola in 2018
Personal information
Full name Gianfranco Zola[1]
Date of birth (1966-07-05)5 July 1966(age 58)[1]
Place of birth Oliena,Italy
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1980–1983 Corrasi Oliena
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1986 Nuorese 31 (10)
1986–1989 Torres 88 (21)
1989–1993 Napoli 105 (32)
1993–1996 Parma 102 (49)
1996–2003 Chelsea 229 (59)
2003–2005 Cagliari 74 (22)
Total 629 (193)
International career
1991–1997[2] Italy 35 (10)
1990–1997 Sardinia 2 (1)
Managerial career
2008–2010 West Ham United
2011–2012 Italy U16
2012–2013 Watford
2014–2015 Cagliari
2015–2016 Al-Arabi
2016–2017 Birmingham City
2018–2019 Chelsea(assistant)
Medal record
Men'sfootball
RepresentingItaly
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up 1994
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He spent the first decade of his playing career playing in Italy, most notably withNapoli,alongsideDiego MaradonaandCareca,where he was able to win theSerie A title,and atParma,where he won theItalian Super Cupand theUEFA Cup.He later moved to English sideChelsea,where he was voted theFootball Writers' Player of the Yearin the1996–97season. During his time at the club, he won theUEFA Cup Winners' Cup,theUEFA Super Cup,twoFA Cups,theLeague Cup,and theCommunity Shield.Regarded as one of the all-time best players at Chelsea F.C., in 2003 he was voted Chelsea's greatest player ever.[6]He was capped 35 times forItalyfrom his debut in 1991, appearing at the1994 World Cup,where Italy finished in second place, andEuro 1996.

After a stint withItaly under-21s,Zola began his club managerial career withWest Ham Unitedof thePremier Leaguein 2008, before being sacked in 2010. He was manager ofWatfordfrom July 2012 until he announced his resignation on 16 December 2013. From December 2014 to March 2015 he managedCagliariin Serie A. He returned to Chelsea as the assistant of new Chelsea managerMaurizio Sarrion 18 July 2018, ahead of the 2018–19Premier Leagueseason.

Club career

edit

Early career

edit

Born inOliena,[1]Zola signed his first professional contract with Sardinian teamNuoresein 1984. In 1986, he moved to theSassari-based teamTorres,where he spent three seasons.

Napoli

edit

He was noticed byLuciano MoggiinSerie C1in 1989, he signed forNapoliinSerie Afor₤2 million, making his debut that year.[7]The young and talented Zola scored two goals as understudy toDiego Maradonaas Napoli won theSerie A titlein 1990, the only league title of Zola's career.[7][8]Zola scored his first goal againstAtalanta,whilst his second goal was scored againstGenoa,during injury time, which allowed Napoli to win 2–1 and maintain a two-point lead over Milan, who were Napoli's main title contenders, in second place.[7]Zola was excited by the transfer, and he developed an important friendship with Maradona, who commented "Finally they have bought someone shorter than me!"[8]Maradona would prove to be a big influence on Zola's career. The two would spend hours practising free kicks together after training and Zola later said that "I learned everything from Diego. I used to spy on him every time he trained and learned how tocurlafree-kickjust like him. "[8][9]

Zola helped Napoli to win theItalian Super Cupin 1990, partnering alongsideCarecafollowing Maradona's drug ban during the second part of the1990–91 season,as Napoli finished in a disappointing seventh place. Due to his individual performances, however, Zola was given his debut for theItaly national teamunder coachArrigo Sacchiin 1991, winning his first cap againstNorwayin November.[10]He temporarily inherited Maradona'snumber 10 shirtthefollowing seasonunder managerClaudio Ranieri,after Maradona parted ways with the club due to his ban, scoring 12 goals in 34 appearances. Upon his departure, Maradona had recommended that the Napoli management focus on Zola's development, stating: "Napoli doesn't need to look for anyone to replace me, the team already has Zola!".[7]In his final season with the club, he managed 12 goals in 33 league appearances, and he also finished the1992–93 Serie Aseason as the joint top assist provider in the league, with 12 assists, alongsideFrancesco Baiano.[11]During his time in Napoli, Zola scored a total of 32 goals in 105 appearances.[7]

Parma

edit

In 1993, Zola left Napoli and joined fellow Serie A sideParmafor₤13 million, due to the poor economic situation of the Neapolitan club.[12]He was initially accused of betraying the club by the fans,[7]although Zola denied this, noting that Corrado Ferlaino had also been forced to sell other important Napoli players such asJonas Thern,Ciro FerraraandDaniel Fonseca,in order to overcome the club's debts.[12]With Parma, he established himself as one of the league's top players, and he achieved notable domestic and European success; he came close to winning anotherSerie Atitle, in particular during the1994–95 season,in which he scored 19 goals in a close fought title-race with rivalsJuventus,although he ultimately failed to do so.[13][14][15]In his first season, he scored 18 league goals, and with the club, he won theUEFA Super Cupin 1993, and theUEFA Cupin 1995 with Parma, and he also reached thefinal of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1994,as well as the finals of theItalian Cupand theItalian Super Cupin 1995. It was with the blue and yellow club that he cemented his reputation as one of the best and most talented creative players in Italy, along withRoberto BaggioandAlessandro Del Piero.[13][14][15]

During the1995–96 season,Zola initially experienced competition in the team with Bulgarian forwardHristo Stoichkov,who played the same tactical role as Zola; as a result, Zola would begin to be deployed in the starting eleven with less frequency, losing his place in the squad, despite scoring 10 league goals.[7]During thefollowing season,managerCarlo Ancelotticame to see Zola as a "square peg" unable to fit into his rigid4–4–2system upon his arrival at the club in 1996.[16]Zola was played out of position in a left midfield role, scoring only 2 goals, as Ancelotti preferred to playHernán CrespoandEnrico Chiesaup-front.[8][17]Zola became frustrated of playing in this role and ultimately made himself available for a transfer, moving to Premier League sideChelseain November 1996. In total, Zola made 102 league appearances with Parma, scoring 49 goals.[7]

Chelsea

edit
Zola's No. 25 Chelsea shirt, on display at theclub museum

In November 1996, Zola joinedChelseafor £4.5 million as one of several continental players signed byRuud Gullit(including compatriotGianluca Vialli) and was assigned the number 25 jersey. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw withBlackburn RoversatEwood Park.In his debut season he demonstrated his skill and talent, and put in several notable performances, scoring a series of memorable goals.[18]In February 1997, after spiriting the ball aroundManchester United's defence in thepenalty areabefore slotting the ball past goalkeeperPeter Schmeichel,he was described by United managerAlex Fergusonas a "clever little so-and-so".[19]

He was a key player in Chelsea's resurgence in the1996–97season, helping them win theFA Cupwith a 2–0 win overMiddlesbroughatWembley Stadiumhaving scored four goals en route to the final, including a 25-yard curling shot againstLiverpoolas Chelsea came from 0–2 behind to win 4–2, and a memorable goal of individual skill in the semi-final againstWimbledon,backheeling the ball and turning 180 degrees before slotting the ball into the net.[18][20][21]At the end of the season he was votedFWA Player of the Year,the only player ever to win the accolade without playing a full season in the English league and the first Chelsea player to win it.[22]

In the1997–98season, Zola helped Chelsea win three more trophies, theLeague Cup,theCup Winners' Cupand theSuper Cup.An injury denied him a place in the starting line-up for the Cup Winners' CupfinalagainstStuttgartat theRåsunda StadiuminStockholm,[23]but he still played an important part in Chelsea's victory, as he came on as a second-half substitute and scored the winning goal after barely 30 seconds.[24]With only his second touch of the game, he struck a through ball fromDennis Wiseinto the roof of the net to secure Chelsea's third major trophy in a year and the second European trophy in the club's history.[7][25]In the same season, Zola hit his first professionalhat-trick,in a 4–0 victory overDerby Countyat Stamford Bridge in November 1997.[26]

"Gianfranco tries everything because he is a wizard and the wizard must try."
— Claudio Ranieri reflecting on Zola's back-heeled goal against Norwich in 2002.[27]

When Chelsea made their first appearance in theChampions Leaguein1999–2000,Zola was a key player throughout the campaign, although he found his chances in the Premier League more limited, owing to managerGianluca Vialli's squad rotation policy. Zola scored three goals in Chelsea's run to the Champions League quarter-finals, including a curling free kick againstBarcelona,and he again won theFA Cupwith the club, with his free-kick in thefinalagainstAston Villasetting upRoberto Di Matteo's winner. His later years with Chelsea saw his appearances restricted by the new strike pairing ofJimmy Floyd HasselbainkandEiður Guðjohnsen.During the2000–01 Premier Leagueseason, Zola managed 9 league goals.

Zola in 2018, playing for Chelsea Legends.

In the2001–02season, Zola's starting chances became limited, after a summer when Claudio Ranieri showed the door to many of Chelsea's ageing stars such as club captainDennis Wise,goalscoring midfielderGustavo Poyetand French defenderFrank Leboeuf,scoring only 3 goals. Zola was limited to infrequent starts and many substitute appearances due to Ranieri's new policy of decreasing the average age of the Chelsea squad, preferring to play the Icelandic youngster Gudjohnsen with Hasselbaink. Zola did draw attention, however, for his dominant performance when he scored with a notable backheeled effort in mid-air from a corner-kick, in anFA Cuptie againstNorwich Cityon 16 January 2002.[28][29]ManagerClaudio Ranieridescribed the goal as "fantasy, magic".[30]

In2002–03,his final season with Chelsea, he enjoyed a renaissance, scoring 16 goals, his highest seasonal tally for Chelsea, and was voted the club's player of the year after helping Chelsea qualify for the Champions League. Zola scored his final goal for Chelsea, a lob from outside the penalty area against Everton, on Easter Monday 2003. He made his final competitive appearance for the club on the final day of the season with a 20-minute cameo against Liverpool, beating four Liverpool players with a dribble late on in the match, gaining applause from both sets of fans in one of the final moments of his career. He played in a total of 312 games for Chelsea and scored 80 goals, scoring 59 goals in 229 Premier League appearances.[7]He subsequently decided to return to Italy during the following season.

Zola was voted as the best ever Chelsea player by Chelsea's fans in early 2003.[6]In November 2004, he was awarded anOBE,Honorary Member of theOrder of the British Empirein a special ceremony in Rome.[4]In 2005, Zola was voted into the Chelsea F.C. Centenary Eleven, occupying one of the two forward roles. No Chelsea player held Zola's number 25 shirt since his departure in 2003 until the number was given toMoisés Caicedo20 years later in 2023 after he contacted Zola for permission to wear the shirt.[31]Zola was also voted byThe Sunone of the top ten best foreign "artistic" players in Premier League history in 2007, coming in second place behindGeorge Best.[32]

Cagliari

edit

In the summer of 2003, amid rumours of an impending takeover at Chelsea, Zola left Stamford Bridge to joinCagliari,from his nativeSardinia.Within a week Chelsea was acquired by Russian billionaireRoman Abramovich.

It was reported that Abramovich tried to buy the entire Cagliari club when Zola refused to renege on his verbal contract with Cagliari, although Zola himself will not confirm it.[33][34]Zola subsequently led Cagliari to promotion to the ItalianSerie A.Then he renewed his contract for Cagliari Calcio for one more year. He retired in June 2005, after ending his career in appropriate style with a double against Juventus in his last professional game. His number 10 Cagliari jersey was withdrawn in his honour for the season after he left but was worn in the 2006–07 season byAndrea Capone.[35]Zola retired as thefifth highest goalscorer of free-kicks in Serie A history,with 20 goals from set-pieces, and currently sits behind onlyFrancesco TottiandRoberto Baggio(both at 21),Alessandro Del Piero(22),Andrea Pirlo(26) andSiniša Mihajlović(28).[36]With 12 goals from free kicks, he is also the joint–third all-time goalscorer from set-pieces in the history of the Premier League, alongsideThierry HenryandCristiano Ronaldo,and behind onlyJames Ward-Prowse(17) andDavid Beckham.[37]

International career

edit

Zola made his debut forItalyon 13 November 1991 in Genova, under managerArrigo Sacchi,at the age of 25, in aEuro 1992 qualifieragainstNorway,which ended 1–1.[10]He appeared at the1994 World Cupin the United States, making one substitute appearance in the second round knock-out match againstNigeriain Boston, with Italy trailing 1–0. After only twelve minutes, Zola was controversially sent off, after being judged by the referee to have fouledAugustine Eguavoen,which forced him to miss the two subsequent World Cup matches.[38][39]Although Italy managed to win the match 2–1 in extra-time and reach the World Cup final, Zola did not regain his place in the side after this suspension.[40] His first two goals came on 25 March 1995, in a 4–1 win, in aEuro 1996 qualifieragainstEstoniain Salerno.[2][41]

Zola was called up forEuro 1996,and he played in all three group games at the tournament. He set upPierluigi Casiraghi's second goal in the team's 2–1 win in the opening group match againstRussia,[42]but in the team's final group match, he notably missed a potential match-winningpenaltyin a 0–0 draw against eventual championsGermanyas Italy surprisingly crashed out in the first round; the win would have allowed Italy to progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament.[43]He scored the only goal of the game in an historic 1–0 victory overEnglandin a 1998World Cupqualifyingmatch at Wembley, on 12 February 1997.[44]He won his final cap for Italy in the return fixture against England in Rome on 11 October 1997, which ended in a draw.[2][45]He retired from international play after he was not called up for the1998 World Cupby managerCesare Maldini,who had selected Del Piero and Roberto Baggio in his role. Zola finished his international career with a total of 35 caps and ten goals.[2][45]

As aSardinianhe could also be eligible for theSardinian national football team,who represented the island on several occasions inNon-FIFA football.Indeed, he played in the first ever official documented appearance of the formation in 1990. TheEngland national football teamwas inSardiniafor a training camp in order to prepare the1990 FIFA World Cupin Italy, where, among other things, it would have played two of the three matches of the group stage inCagliari.[46]Therefore, it had been set up a XI formed by the best Sardinian players caught betweenSerie CandAmateursto face the Lions in their first friendly match. Zola, at that time a player forS.S.C. Napoli,was the only professional player and the most representative one of the squad. TheThree Lionswon with a 10–1 score.[47][48]7 years later he was called for the second match againstCorsica.For this match, all professional players were called (Zola was inParma A.C.) and the Sardinians won 1–0 with a winning goal by Zola.[49]

Other work after retirement

edit

In his playing career, Zola played 628 games and scored 193 goals in league play. Despite speculation he would play on in the 2005–06 season, Zola decided to leave the game just a week before he turned 39, and took a job as an Italian footballpundit.Rumours were circulating within Australia that Zola was being chased by severalA-Leagueclubs, includingSydney,Melbourne VictoryandPerth Glory,about a possible comeback,[50]but Zola quashed such rumours.[51]He did, however, play a charity match in Sydney in December 2006, appearing in bothMarconi StallionsandAPIAcolours. Zola also played againstShrewsbury Townin the first match at theirNew Meadowstadium for "A-line Allstars" on 14 July 2007 as part of a kit sponsorship deal between the club and boot manufacturer A-line, who made Zola's boots.[52]

Managerial career

edit

Italy U21

edit

In 2006, Zola started his coaching career, being appointed as assistant manager toItaly U21manager andPierluigi Casiraghiby theItalian Football Federation.[53]The duo led theazzurrinito the2008 Olympicsin Beijing, where they reached the quarter-finals before being defeated 3–2 byBelgium under-21s.

West Ham United

edit
Zola as manager ofWest Ham Unitedin 2009

On 7 September 2008, it was reported that Zola had been interviewed inRomefor the vacant manager's position atWest Ham Unitedand had "impressed the Club's representatives" at the interview. Two days later, he agreed a three-year contract to manage West Ham United, replacingAlan Curbishley,who resigned following differences with the board. He was unveiled as manager on 11 September, despite not having the requiredUEFA A managing licence.Zola, surprisingly for someone closely associated with West Ham's cross-town rivals Chelsea, quickly gained the backing of the fans. Nevertheless, he received applause from Chelsea fans whenever he returned toStamford Bridgeas West Ham manager.[54]After a shaky start Zola began to develop a side with a flair not seen in a West Ham side for some years.[55]

Zola also received praise for integrating more youth products into the first team.[56]The likes ofJunior StanislasandZavon Hineswere given their debuts. The duo and first team youngstersJack CollisonandJames Tomkinsall scored their first goals for the club during his tenure. In April 2009, Zola signed a contract that could have kept him at Upton Park until 2013.[57]

West Ham struggled in the 2009–10 season. Zola's position as manager was put in doubt when he revealed he had not been consulted over a bid forWest Bromwich AlbionplayerGraham Dorransand by chairmanDavid Sullivan'sannouncement that the entire squad was for sale except for midfielderScott Parker.West Ham finished in 17th place, only five points above the relegation places.[58] On 11 May 2010, two days after the end of the2009–10 season,West Ham announced the termination of Zola's contract with immediate effect.[59]Avram Grantwas announced as his successor on 3 June 2010, and a week later it was announced that the club had reached a compensation settlement with Zola.[60]

Watford

edit

Zola was strongly linked with the managerial position atWatfordin 2012, following the club's takeover byUdineseandGranadaownerGiampaolo Pozzo.He was confirmed as Watford manager on 7 July, signing a two-year contract.[61]

In his first season, Zola led Watford to 3rd place and a play-off position, which then saw them progress to the final atWembley.There, they lost 1–0 to 5th place sideCrystal Palaceafter extra-time.[62]On 16 December 2013, Zola resigned as Watford manager.[63]At the time of his resignation, Watford were 13th in the league, had not won since October 2013 and had lost their last five home games.[64]

Cagliari

edit
Zola as manager ofCagliariin 2015

On 24 December 2014, Zola was appointed as the new manager ofCagliarifollowingZdeněk Zeman's dismissal.[65]In his first match in charge, on 6 January 2015, Cagliari lost 0–5 atPalermowithDaniele Contibeing sent off in the first half, the result keeping the club in the relegation zone.[66]Two days later he completed his first transfer as manager of the club, taking centre-backAlejandro Gonzálezon loan from fellow Serie A clubHellas Verona.[67]Zola won his first game on 11 January 2015, a 2–1 win overCesena.[68]After less than three months as Cagliari's manager, Zola was sacked on 9 March 2015, after being unable to escape the relegation zone after 10 matches; following his dismissal, Zeman was reinstated as Cagliari's manager.[69]

Al-Arabi

edit

On 11 July 2015, Zola was appointed coach of Qatar teamAl-Arabi.[70]After a poorfirst seasonin theQatar Stars League,he was sacked, having achieved 10 wins from 26 games, losing 11, with the team placing 8th out of 14.[71]

Birmingham City

edit

On 14 December 2016, Zola was named manager ofEFL ChampionshipclubBirmingham City,replacingGary Rowettwho had been sacked earlier that day.[72]At the time, Birmingham sat 7th in the table, outside the playoff positions only ongoal difference.[73]Three days later, the team conceded a late goal to lose his first game in charge 2–1 at home to second-placedBrighton & Hove Albion.[74]They did not win until Zola's 11th match in charge, a 1–0 win overFulhamon 4 February 2017.[75]On 17 April, Zola resigned as manager following a 2–0 home defeat toBurton Albionwhich left the team just three points above the relegation zone with three matches remaining. They had won just twice during his 24-match tenure.[76]

Chelsea

edit

On 18 July 2018, Zola was appointed as assistant first-team coach toMaurizio Sarriat Chelsea.[77]On 4 July 2019, after the arrival ofFrank Lampardas head coach, Zola departed the club.[78]

Player profile

edit

Style of play

edit
Zola swings in acorner kickfor theRest of the World XIatSoccer Aid2006.

During his playing career, Zola was primarily used as asupporting strikeror as aplaymakingattacking midfielder,due to his ability to create chances and provideassistsfor teammates; he was also deployed as awinger(although this was not his favoured position, as he did not excel in this role) or even as astrikeron occasion.[79]

A creative, technically gifted and selfless right-footed team player, Zola was renowned for his ball control, his skilfuldribblingability, vision, and passing ability with either foot, as well as his tactical intelligence, ability to read the game and eye for goal.[32][45][80][81][82][83][84]Although he was not physically imposing, his small stature and low centre of gravity gave him good balance and allowed him to be extremely quick and agile, which, along with his acceleration, speed, and ball skills, enabled him to change direction with the ball very quickly in tight spaces, and allowed him to beat defenders withfeintsin one on one situations.[6][45][85][86]

Zola was also apenalty kickand set piece specialist, who was particularly renowned for his accuracy atbendingdirect free-kicks.[87]In addition to his playing ability, Zola also stood out for his tenacity andwork ratethroughout his career,[88][89][90]as well as his professionalism and fair–play.[91][92]However, he was also known to be inconsistent on occasion, although he drew praise from managers and teammates for his ability to be decisive even when he was not at his best,[93][94][95][96]and from pundits for his performances in big games.[97]Due to his creativity, stature, and skill, Zola was given the nickname "Magic box" while playing at Chelsea.[87]

Reception

edit

Zola is regarded by pundits as one of the best Italian creative forwards of all time, and is credited for paving the way for Italian players to play outside of thepeninsula;in 2022, he was inducted into theItalian Football Hall of Fame.[89][98][99]He is also considered one of the best players in both Chelsea's[86][100][101]and thePremier League's history;[102]in 2003, he was voted Chelsea's greatest player ever,[6][103]while in 2006 he was inducted into the National Football Museum'sEnglish Football Hall of Fame.[104]In 2017, Craig Burley ofFourFourTwomagazine placed Zola at number 7 in his list of the "100 best foreign Premier League players ever."[97]In 2013, Alex Richards ofBleacher Reportplaced Zola at number 12 in his list of the greatest dead ball specialists of all time.[105]For his sportsmanship and playing ability, Zola was awarded thePremio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea"and thePallone d'Argentoin 2005[106][107]as well as thePremio internazionale Giacinto Facchettiin 2010.[108]

Personal life

edit

Zola is married to Franca and has three children; his son Andrea played forGrays Athleticand has played forWest Ham Unitedreserves.[citation needed]Former footballer turned criminalFabrizio Maielloclaimed to have targeted Zola as a kidnap target in 1994.[109]

Media

edit

Zola features inEA Sports'FIFAvideo game series;he was named in the Ultimate Team Legends inFIFA 14.[110]

Zola was the subject of a long-runningurban legendwhere it was believed by some people that he appeared in the video forBonnie Tyler's 1983 song "Total Eclipse of the Heart".In a 2012 interview, Zola confirmed that he did not appear in the video.[111]

He has, however, appeared in a music video for the song "Zola" byDerryband Wonder Villains.[112]

Zola once appeared in an episode ofRenford Rejects,where he played a match for the Rejects against the Renford Razors andMartin Keown.[113]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit
Source:[114][115]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Nuorese 1984–85 Serie C2 4 0 — — — — 4 0
1985–86 Serie D 27 10 — — — — 27 10
Total 31 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 10
Sassari Torres 1986–87 Serie C2 30 8 — — — — 30 8
1987–88 Serie C1 24 2 — — — — 24 2
1988–89 Serie C1 34 11 — — — — 34 11
Total 88 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 88 21
Napoli[116] 1989–90 Serie A 18 2 6 1 — 2[c] 0 — 26 3
1990–91 Serie A 20 6 7 0 — 2[d] 0 0 0 29 6
1991–92 Serie A 34 12 4 1 — — — 38 13
1992–93 Serie A 33 12 6 2 — 4[c] 0 — 43 14
Total 105 32 23 4 0 0 8 0 0 0 136 36
Parma 1993–94 Serie A 33 18 7 3 — 9[e] 1 2[f] 0 51 22
1994–95 Serie A 32 19 7 4 — 12[c] 5 — 51 28
1995–96 Serie A 29 10 1 0 1 0 5[e] 2 — 36 12
1996–97 Serie A 8 2 1 0 — 2[c] 0 — 11 2
Total 102 49 16 7 1 0 28 8 2 0 149 64
Chelsea 1996–97 Premier League 23 8 7 4 0 0 — — 30 12
1997–98 Premier League 27 8 1 0 4 0 8[e] 4 1[g] 0 41 12
1998–99 Premier League 37 13 6 1 0 0 5[e] 1 1[h] 0 49 15
1999–2000 Premier League 33 4 5 1 0 0 15[i] 3 — 53 8
2000–01 Premier League 36 9 3 2 1 1 2[c] 0 1[g] 0 43 12
2001–02 Premier League 35 3 6 1 5 0 4[c] 1 — 50 5
2002–03 Premier League 38 14 3 2 3 0 2[c] 0 — 46 16
Total 229 59 31 11 13 1 36 9 0 0 312 80
Cagliari 2003–04 Serie B 43 13 1 1[117] — — — 44 14
2004–05 Serie A 31 9 6 4 — — — 37 13
Total 74 22 7 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 81 27
Career total 629 193 77 38 14 1 72 17 0 0 797 238
  1. ^IncludesCoppa Italia,FA Cup
  2. ^IncludesFootball League Cup
  3. ^abcdefgAppearances inUEFA Cup
  4. ^Appearances inEuropean Cup
  5. ^abcdAppearances inEuropean Cup Winners' Cup
  6. ^Appearances inEuropean Super Cup
  7. ^abAppearance inFA Charity Shield
  8. ^Appearance inUEFA Super Cup
  9. ^Appearances inUEFA Champions League

International

edit
Source:[118]
Italy
Year Apps Goals
1991 2 0
1992 1 0
1993 1 0
1994 6 0
1995 8 7
1996 8 0
1997 9 3
Total 35 10

International goals

Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first.[2][118]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 25 March 1995 Stadio Arechi,Salerno Estonia 1–0 4–1 Euro 1996 qualifier
2. 3–0
3. 29 March 1995 Republikan Stadium,Kyiv Ukraine 2–0 2–0 Euro 1996 qualifier
4. 26 April 1995 Žalgiris Stadium,Vilnius Lithuania 1–0 1–0 Euro 1996 qualifier
5. 15 November 1995 Stadio Giglio,Reggio Emilia Lithuania 2–0 4–0 Euro 1996 qualifier
6. 3–0
7. 4–0
8. 22 January 1997 Stadio La Favorita,Palermo Northern Ireland 1–0 2–0 Friendly
9. 12 February 1997 Wembley Stadium,London England 1–0 1–0 1998 World Cup qualifier
10. 29 March 1997 Stadio Nereo Rocco,Trieste Moldova 2–0 3–0 1998 World Cup qualifier

Manager

edit
As of matches played 17 April 2017[119]
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
West Ham United 15 September 2008 11 May 2010 80 23 21 36 028.75
Watford 7 July 2012 16 December 2013 75 33 15 27 044.00
Cagliari 24 December 2014 9 March 2015 10 2 2 6 020.00
Al-Arabi SC 11 July 2015 27 June 2016 26 10 5 11 038.46
Birmingham City 14 December 2016 17 April 2017 24 2 8 14 008.33
Total 215 70 51 94 032.56

Honours

edit

Torres

Napoli

Parma

Chelsea

Italy

Individual

References

edit
  1. ^abcd"Zola: Gianfranco Zola: Manager".BDFutbol.Retrieved22 December2017.
  2. ^abcde"caps and goals on figc.it"(in Italian). Italian FA (FIGC). Archived fromthe originalon 26 November 2002.Retrieved30 June2011.
  3. ^"quirinale.it".quirinale.it. 27 December 2003.Retrieved29 April2010.
  4. ^abc"Chelsea legend Zola awarded OBE".BBC. 1 November 2004.Retrieved20 December2006.
  5. ^"La Lega Pro sceglie il suo governo: Matteo Marani presidente, Gianfranco Zola vicepresidente"(in Italian). La Stampa. 9 February 2023.
  6. ^abcd"Zola Voted Greatest Ever Chelsea Player".Chelsea-mad.co.uk. 15 January 2003. Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2004.Retrieved11 May2009.
  7. ^abcdefghij"AZZURRI PER SEMPRE – La classe di Gianfranco Zola:" The magic box ""(in Italian). Pianeta Azzurro. 5 April 2014.Retrieved23 December2014.
  8. ^abcd"Le confessioni di Zola" Io, tra Napoli e Londra... ""(in Italian). La Repubblica. 20 February 2012.Retrieved23 December2014.
  9. ^"Gianfranco Zola: The Ambassador".Channel4. Archived fromthe originalon 19 February 2007.Retrieved20 December2006.
  10. ^abFulvio Bianchi (11 June 1997)."'MA NON E' IL MIO RUOLO'"['But it isn't my position'] (in Italian). La Repubblica.Retrieved17 September2015.
  11. ^abMaurizio Mariani; Misha Miladinovich (31 October 2000)."Italy Championship 1992/93".RSSSF.Retrieved17 September2015.
  12. ^ab"ZOLA SALUTA ' CEDUTO PER PAGARE I DEBITI'".29 June 1993.Retrieved23 December2014.
  13. ^ab"ZOLA PIU' DEL PIERO ' QUESTIONE DI TALENTO'".La Repubblica(in Italian). 16 November 1995.Retrieved23 December2014.
  14. ^ab"MERAVIGLIE D' ITALIA".La Repubblica(in Italian). 23 April 1995.Retrieved23 December2014.
  15. ^ab"PARMA TORNA A SOGNARE".La Repubblica(in Italian). 24 April 1995.Retrieved23 December2014.
  16. ^Marcotti, Gabriele (24 May 2005)."Tactical switch".The Times.London.Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2024.Retrieved27 September2024.
  17. ^"Zola contro Ancelotti, la sfida inglese voluta dal destino".Archived fromthe originalon 6 November 2014.Retrieved23 December2014.
  18. ^ab"TUTTI PAZZI PER ZOLA 'QUI MI VOGLIONO BENE'".12 February 1997.Retrieved23 December2014.
  19. ^Jacob Steinberg (21 December 2016)."Golden Goal: Gianfranco Zola for Chelsea v West Ham (1996)".The Guardian.Retrieved2 March2017.
  20. ^"ZOLA E' SEMPRE DA APPLAUSI".24 November 1996.Retrieved23 December2014.
  21. ^"ZOLA FA LA STAR E SPINGE VIALLI IN PANCHINA".30 December 1996.Retrieved23 December2014.
  22. ^abcdefg"Gianfranco Zola".The Independent.Retrieved28 September2014.
  23. ^"Chelsea prepare for Euro glory".BBC Sport.British Broadcasting Corporation. 12 May 1998.Retrieved4 December2011.
  24. ^"Zola's first kick is the sweetest for Chelsea".BBC Sport.British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 May 1998.Retrieved4 December2011.
  25. ^"Chelsea, trionfo all' italiana Zola segna un gol miracolo".14 May 1998.Retrieved23 December2014.
  26. ^Szreter, Adam (1 December 1997)."Football: Chelsea finally display their credentials as championship contenders".The Independent.London: Independent Print Limited.Retrieved4 December2011.
  27. ^"Gianfranco Zola – A Football Legend Profile".TalkFootball.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 4 December 2008.Retrieved24 November2008.
  28. ^"I 10 gol più belli della storia del calcio: Zola, Chelsea-Norwich City 2001–02".Retrieved23 December2014.
  29. ^"Io, Zola, eroe d' Inghilterra per caso".Archived fromthe originalon 18 May 2009.Retrieved23 December2014.
  30. ^"Zola adds his touch of magic".The Guardian.17 January 2002. Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2007.Retrieved20 December2006.
  31. ^"Chelsea: Moises Caicedo to take Gianfranco Zola's iconic number 25 shirt number".Evening Standard.16 August 2023.
  32. ^ab"Best, Zola, Gascoigne Ecco gli artisti del pallone"(in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 11 November 2012.Retrieved24 September2014.
  33. ^""Gianfranco Zola: I'm not ready for Chelsea yet"".The Daily Telegraph.17 March 2008.
  34. ^Viner, Brian (2008)."Gianfranco Zola: 'Will I come back to Chelsea as a coach? I think so'".The Independent.London (published 21 March 2008).Retrieved30 April2008.
  35. ^"Zola swans into Australia".Archived fromthe originalon 29 September 2007.Retrieved2 June2024.
  36. ^"Pirlo, punizioni da record: Sinisa è sempre più vicino"[Pirlo, record-breaking free-kicks: Sinisa's record is not far away].sport.sky.it(in Italian). Sky Sport. 11 November 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 29 January 2015.Retrieved9 March2015.
  37. ^"Premier League most free kick goals record: James Ward-Prowse set to break David Beckham all-time mark".sportingnews. 20 August 2023.Retrieved8 January2024.
  38. ^"TUTTI INSIEME, CONTRO L' ARBITRO"(in Italian). La Repubblica. 6 July 1994.Retrieved23 December2014.
  39. ^"ZOLA ESPULSO ' CHE RABBIA, HO PIANTO'"(in Italian). La Repubblica. 6 July 1994.Retrieved23 December2014.
  40. ^"FIFA Player Statistics: Gianfranco ZOLA".FIFA. Archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2010.Retrieved11 May2010.
  41. ^Giancarlo Padovan (26 March 1995)."Quattro piccoli gol da un' Italia senza allegria"[Four small goals from an Italian side which lacks happiness] (in Italian). Il Corriere della Sera. Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2015.Retrieved17 September2015.
  42. ^"Instinctive Casiraghi helps Italy sink Russia".UEFA. 6 October 2003.
  43. ^"ZOLA PIANGE ' CHIEDO SCUSA'"(in Italian). La Repubblica. 20 June 1996.Retrieved23 December2014.
  44. ^"STORICO ZOLA, WEMBLEY ALL' ITALIANA"(in Italian). La Repubblica. 13 February 1997.Retrieved23 December2014.
  45. ^abcd"Gianfranco Zola"(in Italian). Storie di Calcio.Retrieved17 September2015.
  46. ^NSS Magazine (ed.)."The Sardinia National Team".
  47. ^"England's Matches Unofficial 1946 onwards".
  48. ^"Quel precedente della Nazionale Sarda".Federico Ventagliò. 26 January 2015.
  49. ^FINS – Federatzione Isport Natzionale Sardu: #SardinianFootballHistory (Pagina ufficiale Facebook)
  50. ^"Zola linked to Aussie A-League".yahoo. 30 October 2006.Retrieved18 December2006.[dead link‍]
  51. ^"Zola talks down A-League tilt".Fox Sports.25 December 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 6 January 2007.Retrieved30 December2006.
  52. ^"Shrewsbury reveal All-Star names",BBC News, 10 July 2007
  53. ^"Gentile makes way for Casiraghi".UEFA. 24 July 2006.Retrieved30 June2011.
  54. ^Barder, Russell (14 December 2008)."Chelsea 1–1 West Ham".BBC News.
  55. ^Paul Doyle (7 February 2009)."Paul Doyle talks to Gianfranco Zola and examines the Italian's transformation of West Ham United".The Guardian.London.Retrieved29 April2010.
  56. ^"Zola to stay true to Hammers' youth system".espn.23 September 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 28 October 2008.Retrieved7 November2009.
  57. ^"Gianfranco Zola committed to West Ham after signing new contract".The Guardian.London. 25 April 2009.Retrieved29 April2010.
  58. ^"West Ham sack manager Gianfranco Zola".BBC Sport. 11 May 2010.Retrieved11 May2010.
  59. ^"West Ham United statement".West Ham United F.C. 11 May 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 13 May 2010.Retrieved11 May2010.
  60. ^"Gianfranco Zola & West Ham reach settlement".BBC Sport. 10 June 2010.Retrieved11 June2010.
  61. ^"Zola confirmed as Watford Boss".Archived fromthe originalon 8 July 2012.
  62. ^"BBC Sport – Championship play-off final: Crystal Palace v Watford".BBC Sport.Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2015.Retrieved17 June2015.
  63. ^"OFFICIAL: Gianfranco Zola Resigns".Archived fromthe originalon 16 December 2013.
  64. ^"Gianfranco Zola resigns as Watford head coach".BBC Sport.Retrieved17 December2013.
  65. ^"Bentornato Gianfranco".Cagliari Calcio(in Italian). 24 December 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 26 December 2014.Retrieved24 December2014.
  66. ^"Palermo 5–0 Cagliari".BBC Sport.6 January 2015.Retrieved6 January2015.
  67. ^"Cagliari, è ufficiale: Alejandro Gonzalez agli ordini di Zola"[Cagliari, it's official: Alejandro Gonzalez to the orders of Zola].La Nuova Sardegna(in Italian). 8 January 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2016.Retrieved9 January2015.
  68. ^"Cagliari 2–1 Cesena".ESPN.Press Association. 11 January 2015.Retrieved11 January2015.
  69. ^"Gianfranco Zola sacked as Cagliari coach after less than three months in job".The Guardian.9 March 2015.Retrieved9 March2015.
  70. ^"Football Italia".app.football-italia.net.Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2017.Retrieved14 March2018.
  71. ^"Zola sacked by Qatari club Al-Arabi".27 June 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 4 August 2020.Retrieved13 July2016.
  72. ^"Birmingham appoint Gianfranco Zola as their new manager".Sky Sports. 14 December 2016.Retrieved29 January2017.
  73. ^"Birmingham City: League Championship table after close of play on 13 December 2016".11v11.AFS Enterprises.Retrieved18 April2017.
  74. ^"Birmingham City 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion".BBC Sport. 17 December 2016.Retrieved29 January2017.
  75. ^"Gianfranco Zola delighted with first Birmingham win".Sky Sports. PA Sports. 5 February 2017.Retrieved18 April2017.
  76. ^"Gianfranco Zola: Birmingham City manager resigns after four months".BBC Sport. 17 April 2017.Retrieved18 April2017.
  77. ^"Welcome home Gianfranco".Chelsea F.C. 18 July 2018.
  78. ^"GIANFRANCO ZOLA DEPARTS CHELSEA".chelseafc. 4 July 2019.
  79. ^"Zola contro Ancelotti, la sfida inglese voluta dal destino"(in Italian). Sky. 17 December 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 6 November 2014.Retrieved24 September2014.
  80. ^LIAM TWOMEY (8 November 2016)."Gianfranco Zola at Chelsea: Blues celebrate 20 years after Italian signed".ESPN FC.Retrieved2 March2017.
  81. ^"Cagliari, Barella e i grandi sardi dello sport:" Voglio essere come Zola, Aru e Datome ""(in Italian). sport.sky.it. 19 January 2018.Retrieved12 October2018.
  82. ^Lacey, David (19 December 2008)."Disappearing act by magicians like Zola leaves the game all the poorer".The Guardian.Retrieved2 July2020.
  83. ^Billingham, Glenn (20 May 2018)."The wizardry of Gianfranco Zola".These Football Times.Retrieved2 July2020.
  84. ^"Chelsea's Zola has baptism of fire".The Irish Times.18 November 1996.Retrieved3 July2020.
  85. ^Giampiero Timossi; Alessandra Gozzini (11 April 2006)."Zola, futuro coi giovani e cuore rossoblù" Sono certo che il mio Cagliari ce la farà ""(in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport.Retrieved13 October2018.
  86. ^abEvans, Chris (16 November 2021)."When Gianfranco Zola lit up Chelsea and the Premier League 25 years ago".The Guardian.Retrieved26 March2024.
  87. ^ab"Gianfranco Zola"(in Italian). Il Sardo.Retrieved24 September2014.
  88. ^"PARMA TORNA A SOGNARE".La Repubblica(in Italian). 24 April 1995.Retrieved2 July2020.
  89. ^abBonetti, Matteo (5 September 2013)."20 Greatest Italian Players of All Time".Bleacher Report.Retrieved2 July2020.
  90. ^Rice-Coates, Callum (9 November 2016)."John Terry Reveals the Influence Club Legend Gianfranco Zola Had on Chelsea Youngsters".uk.sports.yahoo.Retrieved2 July2020.
  91. ^Mr X (5 November 2008)."Gianfranco Zola Faces a Bleak Future at West Ham".Bleacher Report.Retrieved3 July2020.
  92. ^Baker, Will J. (25 March 2011)."Chelsea FC: 10 Players the Blues Should Not Have Sold During the Abramovich Era".Bleacher Report.Retrieved3 July2020.
  93. ^Aulenti, Vito (27 May 2020)."Melli:" Asprilla un 'videogame', Zola il più grande. D'Aversa è giudicato un passatista, ma... ""(in Italian). Parma Live.Retrieved2 July2020.
  94. ^MARRESE, EMILIO (17 May 1995)."FIORE PIU' ASPRILLA IL BUONO E IL CATTIVO".La Repubblica(in Italian).Retrieved2 July2020.
  95. ^COMASCHI, GIORGIO; CROSETTI, MAURIZIO (7 November 1993)."UOMINI E TRUCCHI DELL' ALTRO POTERE".La Repubblica(in Italian).Retrieved3 July2020.
  96. ^MARRESE, EMILIO (7 April 2001)."Zola dice basta 'Football, addio'".La Repubblica(in Italian).Retrieved3 July2020.
  97. ^ab"FourFourTwo's 100 best foreign Premier League players ever: No. 7, Gianfranco Zola".FourFourTwo. 10 February 2017.Retrieved3 July2020.
  98. ^"Hall of Fame Italia, Zola:" Napoli merita lo scudetto ". E su Maradona..."corrieredellosport.it(in Italian). 6 April 2023.Retrieved26 March2024.
  99. ^"Il talento di Mr. Zola, un altro numero 10 nella 'Hall of Fame':" Alla Nazionale avrei potuto dare di più ""(in Italian). Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 5 April 2023.Retrieved26 March2024.
  100. ^Rathborn, Jack Alexandros (29 September 2011)."Chelsea: Top 50 Greatest Blues Players to Grace Stamford Bridge".Bleacher Report.Retrieved26 March2024.
  101. ^Johnson, Simon (24 March 2020)."Chelsea's greatest goals: 'What the f**k was that? Zola flick seemed impossible'".The Athletic.Retrieved26 March2024.
  102. ^Hancock, Tom (28 February 2024)."The best Premier League players ever".fourfourtwo.Retrieved26 March2024.
  103. ^"Gianfranco Zola".chelseafc.Retrieved26 March2024.
  104. ^ab"Gianfranco Zola NFM Hall Of Fame profile".nationalfootballmuseum.Retrieved26 March2024.
  105. ^Richards, Alex (12 December 2013)."Ranking the 16 Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time".Bleacher Report.Retrieved8 April2020.
  106. ^ab"Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare Gaetano Scirea: Alba d'Oro"(in Italian).Retrieved21 January2015.
  107. ^ab"CALCIO, A ZOLA IL PALLONE D'ARGENTO DELL'USSI"(in Italian). La Repubblica.Retrieved21 January2015.
  108. ^ab"A Gianfranco Zola il Premio Facchetti 2010"[The 2010 Facchetti Award goes to Gianfranco Zola] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 4 November 2010.Retrieved21 January2015.
  109. ^""I PLANNED TO KIDNAP ZOLA"".FourFourTwo.
  110. ^"Football Legends Coming to FIFA 14 Ultimate Team".easports.EA Sports. 30 August 2013.Retrieved17 March2015.
  111. ^"Chelsea great Gianfranco Zola: 'I don't star in Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart video'".Off the Post.16 May 2012.Retrieved5 September2014.
  112. ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"Wonder villains zola".YouTube.23 June 2014.Retrieved18 May2016.
  113. ^"12 Famous Cameos In Nickelodeon's Renford Rejects".balls.ie.19 September 2014.Retrieved18 May2016.
  114. ^"Gianfranco Zola".Soccerbase.Retrieved28 September2014.
  115. ^"Gianfranco Zola » Partite di club".calcio.
  116. ^"Zola, Gianfranco".napolistat.it.
  117. ^bold.dk."Pro Patria - Cagliari, Coppa Italia 2003/2004 17/8-2003".bold.dk.
  118. ^ab"Gianfranco Zola – Goals in International Matches".RSSSF.Retrieved5 July2015.
  119. ^Gianfranco Zola management career statisticsatSoccerbase
  120. ^abc"Gianfranco Zola".123Football.Archived fromthe originalon 30 August 2014.Retrieved28 September2014.
  121. ^1994 FIFA World Cup USA,FIFA
  122. ^Karel Stokkermans (14 March 2007)."ESM XI".RSSSF.Archivedfrom the original on 7 February 2016.Retrieved29 November2015.
  123. ^"Gianfranco Zola: Overview".Premier League.Retrieved27 September2018.
  124. ^"The 2013/14 Chelsea Player of the Year awards ceremony takes place on Monday 12 May, with tickets for the event on sale now".Chelsea FC.Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved28 September2014.
  125. ^"Chelsea Centenary XI".Chelsea F.C. 4 August 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 5 June 2011.Retrieved30 June2011.
  126. ^"Da Zola a Mourinho e Zidane: le nuove leggende della Hall of fame del calcio italiano".Sky Italia(in Italian). 16 March 2023.Retrieved23 April2023.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toGianfranco Zola.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gianfranco_Zola&oldid=1259937705"