Zola turns down chance to join Grant's
regime
Gianfranco Zola has rejected an approach to join Chelsea's troubled
coaching staff. Regarded by Chelsea supporters as one of the club's
finest ever footballers, the former Italy international was sounded
out about working alongside the manager Avram Grant but, after
checking with friends at Stamford Bridge, elected not to involve
himself with the Israeli's unpopular regime.
It is the second time Zola, currently joint coach of Italy's
Under-21 team, has resisted the lure of Roman Abramovich's
millions. In the summer of 2003 he refused to renege on an
agreement to sign for hometown team Cagliari, ignoring the
Russian's attempts to increase his salary generously to keep him at
Stamford Bridge.
Though Zola is keen to coach in English football, he turned down
the opportunity to return to Chelsea after consulting with former
team-mates. He is understood to have been told that Grant has
failed to win over much of a squad still upset by Jose Mourinho's
enforced departure, and that it would not be wise to associate
himself with a man whose training regime, team selection and close
relationship with the owner have come under serious question.
