Whatever else, we can always say that we had one of the greatest players to have ever played the game, manage our little club for a short, yet often glorious and exciting period, before fizzing out like a bright shooting star.
Cheerio GFZ, probably too late to mount a serious challenge for the playoffs and maybe the powers that be will realise their mistake and bring home the Ginger Goatee Adonis to lead the 'Orns to the promised land.
Of course there are other managers. We may get a better one. We may not. Time will tell. But today the thread is for reacting to Zola going and paying 'tribute' to the work he's done. I'm well aware that in a few months time we may look back and be in a better position, if we get the next appointment right. But that's not the point tonight?
Did I say no to Clarke? But on the other hand what makes Clarke so special? What intrigues me is what the 'Zola out' brigade (apologies in advance if you don't include yourself in that category) will do if the new man comes in and we don't win for say seven or eight games?
This is by no means the sole reason Zola left at all, but I wouldnt be surprised if the booing sent a certain message. Im sure he's savy enough to realise theres a section in most clubs whose fans are morons, but I think those who've met him would admit theres soft side to him which could effect his confidence. What can be done about it ? Heres a guy who brought us from crappy-Championship midtable obscurity (at best) to PlayOffs in one season. So-called surporters cheer his name one minute then make caveman noises at the end of a game when hes asking them to support him & the team. Could we open a Booing-Pit vacated by the demolished East Stand with a dumper truck ready to bury them alive & return the brass band ? Good half time entertainment
A club with limited patience who want it all now and think that throwing a bunch of players/cash at a manager is all that's needed. If promotion this year is still the club's ambition, they won't care how we get there as long as we do, hence my hoofball comment. I hope I'm wrong.
If a new manager comes in and we don't win in 9 games or lose 4 on the bounce at home including to teams 24th and 23rd, I will firstly apologise and secondly do a naked lap of Vicarage Road during our next televised game.
The man is total class - I have every respect for him. I really wish he could have found it within him to continue as I am sure eventually he would have turned our fortunes around. I just hope our supporters show the same amount of class as he has demonstrated and recognise all those good moments he and his team gave us last season and this! I wish him all the very best in whatever he decides to do next. Thank you Gianfranco, you are an absolute gentleman!
Very sad day Tactically naive maybe, but Zola gave us some incredibly exciting football and some of my favourite ever Watford moments A true gent and he deserved more than to be treated the way he was by some morons in the crowd
Gutted Thankyou and good luck GFZ. A man of honour in a game where that quality is becoming a rare commodity.
Thought I was 'on the fence' in the in/out debate until I saw he had gone & then I realised how much I wanted him to be given at least until January to turn things around. Glad he walked rather than was pushed but totally gutted for him. Don't remember feeling this flat about the departure of a Watford manager before. Thanks for everything, Zola.
Well I'll have to admit you made me laugh there! I admire your confidence but this is football and anything can happen, remember Ipswich a few seasons ago, going at least 13 games without a win under Keane! I hope to goodness you are right and we can achieve something like Derby are achieving under the 'Wally with the brolly' who knows? Still gutted that JFZ has gone though and don't like to think of Watford as a 'hire and fire 'em' club (and yes I realise he resigned :]])
Hoddle please. He'll be able to carry on Zola's footballing mentality but with a lot more managerial experience.
What a difference a couple of months makes! I am truly gutted that he has gone. Football fans and owners do not tolerate even the briefest periods of bad form in the modern game. Sure our chances of going up this season are now limited thanks to our recent slump but I think Zola could still have built something special and long term here if he had been given the time and support to do it. As we all know, Ferguson took several seasons to build the Manure dynasty - he was lucky that his career didn't start 20 years later or he may never have achieved anything. I hope for his sake that the next manager has some immediate success or we will be in danger of becoming another club with a revolving managers door. Good Luck Gianfranco and thanks for the memories.
Absolutely gutted he has gone but unfortunately he has lost confidence in himself and can't help the team. He could have gone out all guns blazing but instead showed his true class and thanked us for supporting him. His managerial inexperience shone through at the end of the day and it cost him his job. Best of luck to a lovely man who gave us the best football I have seen from a Watford team in my lifetime.
Okay... Im gutted because he is an extremely nice bloke. Im gutted because he gave me the biggest laughing fit ever when deeney scored that goal. He gave me a trip to Wembley. He gave me the best Watford team I have ever seen. He gave me so much joy.... but... This have given me so much excitement. Zola put us on an incredible platform! He gave us so much hype! Lets remember Zola for his good things, but look to the future for the amazing days Zola will have helped to create!! YOU 'ORNSSSSSSSS!!!!!
This is exactly how I feel. I expect the new manager will be a disaster and the scum on here will be pining for Zola
Agreed. A shame but he may be off to West Brom for all we know. Albion have shafted us plenty of times before.
It's a shame it didn't work out - but I think it's the best move for all parties. Fans were frustrated, players seemed to have lost the plot, and Zola himself admitted he didn't know what to do about it. He leaves with great goodwill at this club and showed great dignity in his decision.
