Following the departure of Eden Hazard and Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea’s assistant manager Gianfranco Zola is close to leaving the club by the end of this week.
Zola was a key figure for Chelsea last season as the former Chelsea striker played a crucial role for Sarri to win his first major trophy as a manager. The 60-year-old Sarri left Chelsea to manage Juventus leaving the job at Stamford Bridge vacant.
There were rumors that Zola was the man to fill in Sarri’s boots but with Frank Lampard also in the running the 52-year-old will not be required as an assistant for the former England midfielder. Lampard will have his own backroom staff and Zola will most likely be replaced.
Chelsea though did offer Zola an ambassadorial role at the club but the Italian decided to decline that request because he wanted to move back into management. And now with no real connection with Chelsea, the former West Ham United forward is looking to move elsewhere to land a job as a manager and will depart the club this week.
While speaking to reporters, Zola’s lawyer Fulvio Marrucco said, “Gianfranco’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the month. After a season of hard work and fantastic results alongside Maurizio Sarri, he is ready to take the next step in his own management career.”
Zola has had the experience of management before as he has coached West Ham, Watford and Birmingham City in the Premier League. He also spent three months with his native side Cagliari in Italy.
