Gianfranco Zola insists he would not quit West Ham
in order to take over at his former club
Chelsea.
With Luiz Felipe Scolari's position at Stamford Bridge becoming
increasingly unstable, reports suggest the Blues may be in the hunt
for a new boss in the near future.
Former fans' favourite Zola would be an obvious choice, helping
to appease those supporters who have grown disillusioned with the
club.
The Italian has made a positive impact with the Hammers this
term, his first managerial post, having stepped into the void
created by Alan Curbishley's departure in September 2008.
He has led the club into the Premier League's European hunt and
has received widespread acclaim for the manner in which he goes
about his job.
However, he has made it clear that an emotional return to
Chelsea is out of the question, insisting he has every intention of
repaying West Ham's faith in his credentials.
"In football you never know what lies round the corner but I
have no intention of walking out on West Ham," Zola said in the
Sunday Mirror.
"I owe a lot to them. Not many clubs would haven given me this
opportunity. "My main aim is to do well here and repay the faith
West Ham and their supporters have shown in me.
"It's not in my nature to walk out on something that has only
just begun."