Ciao Zola

West Ham officials finally took the decision to sack one of the most likeable blokes in football, Gianfranco Zola. Although it wasn’t so long ago that the Italian genius was terrorizing Premiership defenses with his skill and vision for Chelsea, during his 20 months at Upton Park those extraordinary playing qualities translated into very ordinary managerial success. Zola leaves the East London club having guided them safe of relegation this campaign after a 9th place finish during his first season in charge. A likeable manager who couldn’t cut it. Here’s a few more of the good guys who have, as yet, failed to convert their playing success into managerial triumph.

A likeable manager who couldn’t cut it. Here’s a few more of the good guys who have, as yet, failed to convert their playing success into managerial triumph.

Gus Poyet. Zola’s teammate at Chelsea, the Uruguayan enjoyed tremendous success playing in England but has yet to make his mark in the managerial sector. Winning the FA Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cup and the European Super Cup with the Blues, Poyet has enjoyed mediocre success as Assistant Manager at Swindon Town, Leeds and Tottenham. He took on the top job at Brighton & Hove Albion last November and initial wins against South Coast rivals Southampton and FA Cup opponents Wycombe indicate Poyet could yet be a success as top dog.

A likeable manager who couldn’t cut it. Here’s a few more of the good guys who have, as yet, failed to convert their playing success into managerial triumph.

Gus Poyet. Zola’s teammate at Chelsea, the Uruguayan enjoyed tremendous success playing in England but has yet to make his mark in the managerial sector. Winning the FA Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cupand the European Super Cup with the Blues, Poyet has enjoyed mediocre success as Assistant Manager at Swindon Town, Leeds and Tottenham. He took on the top job at Brighton & Hove Albion last November and initial wins against South Coast rivals Southampton and FA Cup opponents Wycombe indicate Poyet could yet be a success as top dog.

Tony Adams. One of the greatest English footballers of all time, Adams gained cult status as Arsenal’s hard-hitting central defender and inspirational captain. Adams received his first managerial calling at lowly Wycombe in 2003 but managed to relegate the Wanderers to League Two that same season. Resigning a year later, Adams soon joined Harry Redknapp as Assistant at Pompey. When Redknapp defected to Spurs, Adams was promoted to full-time manager and boy could he not have erased the club’s recent success any quicker. The team picked up 10 points in 16 games under the former England defender and Adams was soon packing his bags. A likeable and articulate footballer who’s aggressive image sometimes masks his intelligence.

A likeable manager who couldn’t cut it. Here’s a few more of the good guys who have, as yet, failed to convert their playing success into managerial triumph.

Gus Poyet. Zola’s teammate at Chelsea, the Uruguayan enjoyed tremendous success playing in England but has yet to make his mark in the managerial sector. Winning the FA Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cupand the European Super Cup with the Blues, Poyet has enjoyed mediocre success as Assistant Manager at Swindon Town, Leeds and Tottenham. He took on the top job at Brighton & Hove Albion last November and initial wins against South Coast rivals Southampton and FA Cup opponents Wycombe indicate Poyet could yet be a success as top dog.

Tony Adams. One of the greatest English footballers of all time, Adams gained cult status as Arsenal’s hard-hitting central defender and inspirational captain. Adams received his first managerial calling at lowly Wycombe in 2003 but managed to relegate the Wanderers to League Two that same season. Resigning a year later, Adams soon joined Harry Redknapp as Assistant at Pompey. When Redknappdefected to Spurs, Adams was promoted to full-time manager and boy could he not have erased the club’s recent success any quicker. The team picked up 10 points in 16 games under the former England defender and Adams was soon packing his bags. A likeable and articulate footballer who’s aggressive image sometimes masks his intelligence.

Roberto Donadoni. A sensational player for the Rossoneri during the late 80s and early 90s, this curly-haired midfield maestro had pace to burn and technique bestowed from the football gods. Following stints at Lecce, Livorno, Genoa and Lecce again, Donadoni took over from Marcelo Lippi after the Italian success of World Cup 2006. Another to dismantle triumph in lighting speed, Donadoni lost to Croatia on his debut, managed the Italian team to their worst ever defeat, a 3-0 loss to Netherlands, and barely qualified for Euro 2008 on the back of a disappointing loss to France and a humiliating tie against Lithuania. Although the Italians were the only team to hold eventual winners Spain scoreless during 90 minutes, the Italians exited the tournament on penalties and Donadoni resigned upon his arrival home. Donadoni last saw action in Napoli but was sacked in October following a string of 4 wins in 18 matches.

A likeable manager who couldn’t cut it. Here’s a few more of the good guys who have, as yet, failed to convert their playing success into managerial triumph.

Gus Poyet. Zola’s teammate at Chelsea, the Uruguayan enjoyed tremendous success playing in England but has yet to make his mark in the managerial sector. Winning the FA Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cupand the European Super Cup with the Blues, Poyet has enjoyed mediocre success as Assistant Manager at Swindon Town, Leeds and Tottenham. He took on the top job at Brighton & Hove Albion last November and initial wins against South Coast rivals Southampton and FA Cup opponents Wycombe indicate Poyet could yet be a success as top dog.

Tony Adams. One of the greatest English footballers of all time, Adams gained cult status as Arsenal’s hard-hitting central defender and inspirational captain. Adams received his first managerial calling at lowly Wycombe in 2003 but managed to relegate the Wanderers to League Two that same season. Resigning a year later, Adams soon joined Harry Redknapp as Assistant at Pompey. When Redknappdefected to Spurs, Adams was promoted to full-time manager and boy could he not have erased the club’s recent success any quicker. The team picked up 10 points in 16 games under the former England defender and Adams was soon packing his bags. A likeable and articulate footballer who’s aggressive image sometimes masks his intelligence.

Roberto Donadoni. A sensational player for the Rossoneri during the late 80s and early 90s, this curly-haired midfield maestro had pace to burn and technique bestowed from the football gods. Following stints at Lecce, Livorno, Genoa and Lecce again, Donadoni took over from Marcelo Lippi after the Italian success of World Cup 2006. Another to dismantle triumph in lighting speed, Donadoni lost to Croatia on his debut, managed the Italian team to their worst ever defeat, a 3-0 loss to Netherlands, and barely qualified for Euro 2008 on the back of a disappointing loss to France and a humiliating tie against Lithuania. Although the Italians were the only team to hold eventual winners Spain scoreless during 90 minutes, the Italians exited the tournament on penalties and Donadoni resigned upon his arrival home. Donadoni last saw action in Napoli but was sacked in October following a string of 4 wins in 18 matches.

John Barnes. Another English diamond. As an attacking midfielder, Barnes lit up Anfield during the 90s scoring 84 goals for the club. An engaging fella with a good sense of humor, Barnes’ combination of football knowledge and human communication seemed ideal for management. Not so. Barnes didn’t even last a season in the hotseat at Celtic and his time at Tranmere included several losing streaks culminating with his players dubbing him and his assistant Jason McAteer ‘Dumb and Dumber.’ Although Barnes coached the Jamaican national team to victory at the 2008 Caribbean Cup, the fact that he’s rumored to be interested in the Rwanda job says a lot about his ambition and self-confidence.