From Gianfranco Zola to all Watford supporters: I am writing this today with a very heavy heart and after a lot of consideration, to tell you that I have resigned from my Head Coach position at Watford. First of all, this decision has not been made quickly. I mentioned after the game on Saturday that I wanted to think about things overnight and that is exactly what I have done. I must place Watford Football Club first in my thoughts and it is for this reason that I have taken my action. I feel that it is in the best interests of the team that somebody new is given the chance to bring the success which we have all hoped for and worked very hard for. It is for a variety of reasons, and not just over one matter or one moment, that I feel this is the right decision for me, in the best interests of the club - and I know I can trust you, the supporters, to respect my decision fully. Last season was such an amazing time, for the players, the staff and the supporters. And I loved that journey. Every minute of it brought a new challenge, different experiences and a lot of learning. I have had supporters tell me that the Leicester game in May was the most amazing moment in their time supporting their club. I will always remember having been welcomed so warmly to this wonderful football club, to have been supported so fully and to have been able to share moments of excitement and joy that will always live with me. But this game does not wait and does not stop. There is always the next challenge and a new environment ahead which means nothing is ever the same. For now, I want to wish the players, the staff, the fans and everyone else who has Watford Football Club at heart my best wishes for the future. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve this club and I am sure we will see each other again one day. Best wishes, Gianfranco Read more at http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/131216-zola-resignation-1240083.aspx#5DfXrHWsiIy561Dv.99
Unsurprising. The similarities between his time here and West Ham are scary. Last season was amazing though, thank you for the memories Zola you've left me an emotional mess.
I'm ****ing crying here. Left with dignity and he is a brilliant man, even if he is not exactly the greatest of managers. On another note, this completely changes my draft for the Ipswich Town match preview thread...
Classy til the end. A wonderful man who has done a maginficent job and is responsible for the greatest memories I've had supporting this club. It saddens me greatly to think of how much he has been let down this season.
The most dignified, honest, heartfelt, generous and sincere resignation that I have ever heard of. I would like to thank him deeply for his wonderful efforts. He brought great joy to the club and its supporters. I met him very briefly once and a more courteous gentleman you will not meet. It is a sad day for me and my kids, but I know we need to move on. The best of good fortune to you Gianfranco.
Whether you wanted him out or not, I defy anybody to read that open letter without getting a lump in your throat.
Its a great shame. I wanted - and believed all along - that he would be the man to lead us out of this situation. He always conducted himself with humility and dignity and brought this club a season of some fantastic highs, lots of goals and several incredible moments. I hope the club do not rush the next appointment. It is clear though that there are more things wrong than the manager and the interesting part is who takes charge. It may work for the better it may not. Ultimately the pressure from the fans has forced this decision. I hope we remember the good times - and everyone else too - and not what has happened these last few months. How will the players react? Several of them only arrived because of Zola's influence.
He had to go really, he was out of ideas and his confidence was shot. What a true legend though, I hope he knows how appreciated he is by all Watford fans.
Yes....I'm very unhappy about this news, but I think after his comments on Saturday it was inevitable. I think he's probably been the unluckiest manager we've ever had in the refereeing decisions that went against him during his time at the club, but that all gets forgotten.....only the results count. He's a top guy and will be forever remembered for that little jig along the touchline after that DEEEEENEY goal. It's amazing to think that was only in May. A man true to himself and his beliefs. A very humble and honourable person and if ever a manager I wanted to succeed here it's him.
Probably the best thing for both parties. He is a great man, just something went wrong this season. He will be forever remembered for the Zolacoaster last season and will always have a place in the majority of our hearts. Time to move on now though and get our season back on track.
I am absolutely gutted. Good for him doing it on his own terms and being so honest and open about it all. The amount of discontent from the fans over the past few weeks probably played its part, but no doubt he has felt without confidence of late. I am really sad to see him go, I have always wanted him to learn through the hard times with Watford and come out stronger, and it is a great shame he won't be doing that. Good luck Gianfranco. I hope that his departure does not mean a big departure from the style of football we aimed at in his time here. No idea who will be next.
Sad, but he seems to have done it with the clubs best interests in mind. What a genuinely lovely guy, and I hope he'll be remembered fondly for the good times he brought to vicarage road and not the poor run of form. There ought to be an appreciate thread for him.
I know I've been saying he had to go for weeks, and he did, but it doesn't make it any less upsetting. Absolute gentleman and I'm glad he left before it got any worse, will always remember him for the wonderful memories of last year. Resigning before being pushed sums the man up, hero and I hope that we all chant his name on saturday. Best chance for the club to progress is now, I posted on Saturday that with the stuff off the pitch he had to go, and it seems that he's realised that too. Who the **** are we going to appoint?
That's tripe, he's realised he's probably taken us as far as he's going to take us and feels he's probably not the man to reverse our fortunes. He's right but leaves with the utmost respect having handled himself with such dignity in what must have been a tough time for him too. Thanks for last season's memories Franco, some of the best football we're ever likely to see.
I'm gutted. Thank you for all your efforts, and the incrediblr season last season, I'll never forget it.
