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Gianfranco ZolaItalian football coach, former player
Date of Birth: 05.07.1966
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Biography of Gianfranco Zola
- Early Career in Italy
- Success at Chelsea
- Coaching Career
- Style and Achievements
- Later Years
Biography of Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola is an Italian football coach and former player. He was born on July 5, 1966, in Oliena, Sardinia.
Early Career in Italy
Zola spent the first ten years of his career playing in Italy, primarily for the club Napoli. He played alongside legendary Argentinean footballer Diego Maradona and Brazilian forward Careca. He also played for Parma before moving to England to join Chelsea Football Club in 1996.
Success at Chelsea
At Chelsea, Zola quickly established himself as a key player and became a fan favorite. In 1997, he was named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. He played a crucial role in the team's success, helping them win the FA Cup and leading them to a 2-0 victory against Middlesbrough in the final. Zola's impressive performances earned him the title of the Best Player in the English Premier League, a feat that had not been achieved by anyone before him.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Zola transitioned into coaching. He served as the manager of West Ham United from 2008 to 2010. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach for the Italian national under-21 team under the guidance of Pierluigi Casiraghi. Zola also had a brief coaching stint with Cagliari, helping the team gain promotion to Serie A.
Style and Achievements
Throughout his playing career, Zola gained a reputation as one of the best free-kick takers. He was known for his exceptional technique and dribbling skills. Zola scored a total of 193 goals in 627 appearances. He achieved numerous accolades, including winning the Serie A and Italian Cup with Parma, and the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Chelsea.
Later Years
On May 11, 2010, two days after the end of the 2009-2010 season, Zola's contract with West Ham was terminated. Despite the end of his coaching tenure, Zola's contributions to the world of football and his skill on the pitch will always be remembered.
