Gianfranco Zola talks to Football FanCast
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola was once again on the touchline barking out orders on Tuesday afternoon as he managed a group of Indesit Football Talent competition winners at The Emirates Stadium in the pouring summer rain. I caught up with him post-match to talk all things Chelsea, Champions League and his managerial future.
Did you enjoy today, did it make you want to get back into the managerial game?
It was great, it was fun, but above all it wasn’t about us. It was about the people that came here and spent the day like a proper footballer. But I enjoyed it; they enjoyed it which is the most important thing.
Also, for me personally, the closer you get to the pitch, the better you feel. Obviously if I could get even closer it would be even better! But we are getting ready for another opportunity and we will see when it comes.
So the Champions League Final on Saturday, are you excited?
Very much so, it is a game which has lots of expectations and I am sure it will be a great final. There will be a lot of emotions in there.
Without the likes of John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires, can Chelsea still win it?
Obviously it is a difficult task because they are missing key players and they are playing against a very good team in Bayern, but if you analyse the season of Chelsea they have been through difficult times but they always come through. Also, you can’t forget that in the team that will line up on Saturday, there are players that played in the final a few years ago in Moscow, so I am sure they will be doubling their attention and strength in the game. But I don’t think it is right to say that Chelsea starts the game having already lost it, I would pay respect to them.
How pleasing is it to see Roberto Di Matteo doing such a good job at Chelsea?
I am delighted, delighted for Chelsea, delighted for Roberto because he is a good guy, he is a Chelsea legend and Chelsea boy, so to see somebody doing well in your own club, you feel so pleased for that.
You often hear that he was a quiet character in the dressing room, were you surprised he actually moved into management?
Yeah, he is quite calm, he is laid back, but he has so much determination. In his career, I have known him for a long time and I know he looks quiet but he is a very, very determined and strong person.
He brought back Eddie Newton, so there is a few Chelsea old boys back at the club, are you expecting a call soon?
No, you know Chelsea is a great club for me and for those who have played there, but as long as somebody is doing well at the club and on top of that if they are someone who has played with you and is friends with you I am very pleased for that. It would be fantastic to have that opportunity, but as long as the club is so well looked after I don’t mind, honestly I really just wish for the club to do well, that’s the most important thing.
In a fantasy world and you were starting for Chelsea on Saturday, who would you like to play up front with, Didier Drogba or Fernando Torres?
I think Didier Drogba is the one who has to start on Saturday because of what he has done. He is a guy that every time they play an important game he puts his trademark on it which is a guarantee for Chelsea. Obviously Fernando has done quite well, he came back so strong and I am sure when he comes on he can make a big difference but Drogba is the man. In every single final or important game we play, he scores; he has been such a leader. I think he will start, but Fernando could come on and change the game.
So how close are you to getting back into management, have you given it a lot of thought recently?
Yes, there have been a few opportunities but I preferred to take a little bit of time off you know to do things for me, but now is the moment and obviously I am looking forward to finding a job.
Is it also nice to see Paolo Di Canio doing so well at Swindon?
Oh I am delighted. I spoke with him after the promotion and he has done a great job and he really didn’t have an easy task, he has done it in his own style. Paolo is Paolo!
What are your thoughts on Italy’s chances in Euro 2012?
Unfortunately, he hasn’t got the best team honestly, but they are a very young team and I like the manager very much. I don’t think that on paper they can win it, but football is so incredible because you can say one thing and it can just turn around, I don’t think they will win, but they will play a good tournament. I think the cycle is now going towards Germany; they have some great young players.
When you managed the Italy under-21’s, you briefly coached Mario Balotelli, how did you personally find him?
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Hard, sometimes he can be very hard, or he can be very easy it all depends on him. For me Mario can be a top player, when I say top player I mean top, top, top player but at the same time he has to understand that the person goes with the player. Your personality, the way you handle your temperament also determines the value of you as a player. Mario could be the player of the Euros, it is all down to him and I think he will have an important role. I saw the strikers and he will probably become one of the main strikers for Italy so he has a big opportunity, it is just down to him to use it in the right way. You can’t control it, I can’t control it, he is the only one who can do that.
Another place where you managed was West Ham, they are in the Play Off Final on Saturday, do you think they will go up?
They have a great chance, there is no doubt they have the best side in the Championship in my opinion, so the ball is on their hand. Whether they can do it I don’t know, but they have players in the team that have enough experience and quality to play these teams and games so we will see what they can do. I keep my fingers crossed for them, it is a good club and I really wish to see them playing in the Premier League.
Do you think you were harshly treated at Upton Park?
I think football sometimes is like that, it is a rule of football. Sometimes you have to work with a chairman and a club and your ideas are not appreciated and they want to get on with that and maybe do something else. I can’t complain though, I had a very good time with West Ham and I am very grateful for them to allow me to manage a Premier League club, I done what I was supposed to do there, with all the difficulties and I have no grudges at all.
Finally, is it true you went on an eventful fishing trip with Faustino Asprilla, how was that?
Yes, yes, it was absolutely terrible! You know when fishing you line up one next to each other and throw the ropes, but you have to be very careful how you throw it because the waves can take it close to the others ropes. He made such a mess of it. He crossed all of the lines and it took us half an hour to get all of the lines in. We had to cut them with scissors. Never again! We can maybe use him as bait! Good players, very good friend, terrible fisherman!
Robert Pires, Daniele Massaro and Gianfranco Zola coached winners of the Indesit Football Talents competition which offered football fans across Europe the opportunity to compete at Emirates Stadium. For more information please go towww.indesit.com/weworkyouplay