A few WO quotes from our owner Gino Pozzo: “It’s going to be a long journey to get to where we want to be eventually because there are a lot of things that need to be addressed and done. But we are very happy with the kind of environment that we’ve found. “I think the message has already got across and people understand what we’re trying to do; they are very supportive. I think in the end, the fact that we’ve found this kind of environment which is friendly to the players will benefit the club. “Longevity is key to success. It is only over many years that success can be judged.” “We would love to win every game but that doesn’t mean we will not give Gianfranco Zola time,” “We take our time to choose the manager we think fits into our philosophy and Zola fits perfectly. So regardless of the short-term results, I think he will do an excellent job for us and we are looking forward to him being with us for a long time because it is a good match for him and it is a good match for us. That is what brings us together. “All these elements make it not so dependant on the short-term results. We will eventually look at being successful on the pitch and all this is part of Zola and his knowledge and the way he approaches football.”
Actually quite gutted about this. In an ideal world we would have got someone experienced in to help GZ. Is nice to have a manager resign in respectful way though.
If the last few days have proven anything, it's that a large portion of our fanbase need to have some kids, or get a wife. Basically anything that will add a much needed sense of perspective on the role of a football club in their everyday lives.
Zola has given us some great times and will be forever respected for that. A lot of posters on here saying he had to go but I can't help having the feeling that there is something wrong with the players/team that runs deeper than the manager. A lot of players have been underperforming recently, yet Zola has to be the one that pays for it.
http://footballpink.net/2013/12/16/are-you-happy-now-are-you/ Very good article I've just seen on Twitter.
You know very well the importance of a football club in the everyday lives of supporters. It might not be entirely rational, but it's a passion we take from childhood to the grave. This sort of comment makes me wonder what you're lacking in your life, for you to be so snide about people holding opinions on football matters. It tells me that football matters are no less important to you than those you're taking a swipe at. If everyone agreed with your opinion, would you still have made that sneering comment? Of course you wouldn't.
On a personal level I'm gutted. Maybe clinging to 'old' memories but he's shown more dignity than a few in his departure at least. On a clinical ruthless level though I'm a bit worried he walked. If he had been sacked the Pozzos would have already had somebody lined up. Let's just hope there was a lot of candid and honest conversation recently. Anyway cheers Frank for all the memories and this truly is a painful emotional loss for a huge number of fans. Best of luck in future ventures. We will crack on but will not forget the good times in a hurry. Here's to the next chapter arty1:
I'm as disappointed that he's gone as anybody else. Gutted even. My earlier post echoed these sentiments. Come on though, some people are acting as though the bloke died. The latter post is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek assessment of that. Similar happened when Dyche was sacked, but 5 minutes later he was all but forgotten. We're all passionate about this club, but it'll move on just as it always has. Maybe I'm just heartless. :'(
The forum members that are having a go at those who thought Zola wasn't good enough,ought to think about what they are saying. I was a bit emotional yesterday. Not because of the football situation, but because of how this dignified & decent man had resigned. In his letter, a couple of the phrases he used were... "I feel that it is in the best interests of the team that somebody new is given the chance to bring the success" and "...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." Nowhere does he blame the fans on Forums and social media. Are you suggesting that he is being dishonest in this letter, that he is lying? Or do you think that he is so weak that he had to resign because of a bit of criticism on here and twitter? I accept his decision in that I think he agreed with many fans that he probably wasn't the right person to carry on, and that it would be more dignified to resign now, rather than be forced out later. It is a shame that some of you have shown a lack of respect for his decision - something that he specifically asked for.
There are some things that the vast majority of fans agree on - Zola is a very decent man with more integrity than the vast majority of the population - He did a fantastic job for the club last season - His success last season, coupled with bad luck and loss of key players contributed to the problems for him this season - He had lost the confidence to sort things out in the short term - As sad as it is that he has decided to leave, it is probably the right decision for him and the club. - he will be a welcome visitor to the club at any time. I spoke to my kids last night about the situation, expecting them to be upset about the news. They were quite matter of fact about it and pointed out that the results were so bad that they think it was the right thing to do and they were glad he was not sacked and made the decision himself. Out of the mouth of babes and all that.
Superb player, good coach and an outstanding human being. Thanks for some great memories. You have got to respect his opinion that he does not know what to do to improve our performance, however as others have said if he had recruited an experienced assistant or mentor it could have been different. I am not sure he is a natural manager - but it will be interesting to see what he does next. We now have an interesting decision to make as there are not many potential recruits who combine Championship and continental experience, so the answer may be a `dynamic duo` - however I think this is unlikely.
http://www.wfcforums.com/showthread.php?49968-Zola-your-contributions Feel free to add your thoughts in here, it'll be compiled into a letter written to Zola.
God, the way some people are going on is pathetic. Yeah he was a nice guy and last season was really exciting. But this season has been poor, beset by clear issues such lack of confidence (which can't be explained by some boos) and some of the tactics deployed and constant changing of line ups has shown Zola's lack of experience. What's worse in my opinion is that he had enough time to learn at least some lessons yet he seemed unable to. West Ham fans will tell you the same happened there. A parting of ways was the obvious solution - but it's to his credit that he walked before being pushed. Yet the way some people are dribbling on you'd think they'd convinced themselves that it doesn't matter at all where this club ends up so long as Mr Nicey Smiley is gurning out at them week in, week out. Which is odd because when Bas was ruining things a lot of people on here were the first to point out it didn't matter who the manager, owner or coach was because the club will always continue. It's like a victim of domestic abuse convincing him/herself that it doesn't matter that their other half hits them every week because they know he's a nice really and he only does it because he doesn't know better. Then when he walks out they think it's all their fault! We had the same gnashing and wailing when Loosington went. He was a nice guy, gave us some happy memories and saw us through a transition admirably. None of that changes the fact that near the end form had deserted him. Zola likewise. People need to wake up. Duxberry and Nani aren't here to sleepwalk a Championship club into League 1 or even to preserve the status quo. They didn't bang on about needing 15,000 crowds and then having achieved that only to let it slip after just one year. The Pozzos have bought the club to grow it, not to hang around in this league indefinitely as kind of nursery for new managers with winning personalities. Zola knew this all too well and I'm really impressed he took the time to consider what he thought he could do to change things and decided to walk rather than await the inevitable. I don't think massive changes are needed but clearly mental resolve and defensive drills need to be improved radically. We have the personnel to do this in the squad so although January should probably see a couple coming and going there's no need for a radical overhaul. Hopefully with the successor less of the impression being given by the players that Zola was as much a mate and idol as a manager.
In some ways he was the victim of his own success having raised so much expectation. If progress last year had been promising but at a steadier rate than the huge acceleration we were all part of last season, he may not have felt under so much pressure this season. Bring back Steve Perryman
I'm with you. Zola had a good season which was great to watch. He then presided over a run of 5 successive home defeats and 4 points from 27 and thus resigned. This is hardly a unique set of circumstances for a football manager's departure. The general reaction of our fans is simply baffling.
If the Pozzo's had sacked Zola rather than him resigning, would this have really been worse than their sacking of Dyche?
Zola lost control and it is great that he departed before any big damage was done. I really don't think Duxbury and Nani had any plans to remove him as manager. Hard to tell with the Pozzo's. The turning point for me was draw at home to Charlton this season. A "good point" according to Zola. Last Saturday's starting 11 was pathetic and proof that Zola is/was clueless and simply had to go. I appreciate his efforts, last season was beautiful and so agonisingly close to success. Nani could have supplied better players to fit into last seasons framework but really Zola should have adapted. Yeates, Geijo, Hogg and Hall should have been retained. Too many lies about "Abdi being available for Saturday" every week, too much faith in poor performers like Deeney and Murray this season, I could continue. We will never know just how valuable Corradini was. Vydra and Abdi made the difference on the pitch last year and Zola hit the magic 3-5-2 formula by total fluke.
This thing about the boo boys is being picked up by everyone who writes a long piece on Zola, yet I hardly heard any boo's at any of the last few home matches. Are these pieces being written by people who don't actually attend games?
What ever gave you that idea?:rodgers: The quality of football journalism is shocking now. I blame Tim Lovejoy.
