Italy appoint Ancelotti as new coach 26th June, 2010
Carlo Ancelotti replaces Marcello Lippi as the new Italy coach
Italy have appointed Carlo Ancelotti as their head coach. The 50-year-old leaves his position as Chelsea manager to succeed Marcello Lippi, who vacated the hot-seat after being knocked out in the group stages of World Cup in South Africa.
"The Italian Football Federation has the pleasure to announce that Carlo Ancelotti is the new national team coach," read a statement on the organisation's official website. "The Italian coach has a four-year contract and will be presented on Wednesday. Carlo Ancelotti is without doubt a benchmark of excellence for Italian football coaches and he was the first choice for the job."
Ancelotti said: ". I am very proud and honoured to be able to serve my country. This is a very special position that any professional would want. I would like to thank Chelsea for agreeing to let me go and I hope they have many wonderful years after me. I have managed in two of the world's top leagues and now I am very proud to be appointed as the national team coach. This a very special moment for my family and myself."
The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League, eight points behind champions Liverpool and were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals by Barcelona earlier this year. But, Ancelotti will now be charged with qualifying Italy, who were knocked out in quarter-finals at Austria-Switzerland 2008, for the next UEFA EURO in 2012. They have been drawn in Group 3 alongside Northern Ireland, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Slovenia and Serbia, and will kick off their campaign against Estonia on 8 September. The Azzurri are currently third on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
Hiddink leads the pack as Chelsea search for a new manager
Guus Hiddink the frontrunner for Chelsea job, Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Roman Abramovich has yet again begun the process of finding a new manager for Chelsea this time a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who left to join Italian national team on Saturday, by drawing up a shortlist of candidates in which Guus Hiddink has emerged as the favourite to return and Gianfranco Zola also figures prominently.
Guus Hiddink: He already enjoys a strong relationship with Roman Abramovich and also has lead the club to their only cup success since the departure of Jose Mourinho. He has a hugely impressive record at club and international level. Excellent tactician and would not be daunted at Chelsea. Odds: 3-1
Frank Rijkaard: His attacking style is well respected at Chelsea and his appointment would surely please the fans. Never courts controversy with the media. Had a difficult season in Turkey with Galatasaray and has been criticised for lacking charisma, something that Chelsea fans value greatly after Jose Mourinho's time at Stamford Bridge . Odds: 5-1
Gianfranco Zola: Previously identified by senior figures at Chelsea as a possible replacement for Scolari after having a very good stint with West Ham. Popular with fans after a glorious seven-year spell as a player. Not yet managed a major club and, as such, his appointment would represent a major gamble. Odds: 8-1
Didier Deschamps: Like Grant, has lost a European Cup final (with Monaco in 2004, to Mourinho's Porto). Took a post-scandal Juventus back to Serie A then resigned and now is currently in charge of Marseille who finished second behind Bordeaux in the French League. His team play attractive attacking football surely will please the fans at Stamford Bridge. Odds: 12-1
Jose Mourinho: The self proclaimed 'Special One' could be in for a surprise return to Stamford Bridge. Won the Premier League twice with Chelsea and the Serie A twice with Inter Milan. Has a perfect track record and his return as Chelsea manager will nodoubt but please the Chelsea faithful. Odds: 15-1
AC Milan coach Guus Hiddink snubs Chelsea's offer
Chelsea suffered a huge setback last night when their former manager Guus Hiddink rejected the opportunity to become their new manager to succeed Carlo Ancelotti.
The AC Milan coach had emerged as the personal choice of Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea owner had offered a contract worth ?8 million a year after several meetings with the Dutchman, the most recent of which is understood to have taken place in Moscow on Monday.
However, despite Chelsea’s belief that their offer would be enough to take him back to Stamford Bridge after just 6 months in charge at the San Siro, Hiddink last night insisted that he would be staying at Milan after a 30-minute meeting at the ground with Adriano Galliani, the club’s vice- president. “I’m staying at Milan,” Hiddink said. “I have just joined the club and I want to win many trophies over here.”
Chelsea did not deny speaking to him, stating only that they have not reached agreement with any manager or approached any club to speak to one of their employees. The club believe that there is no obligation under FIFA rules to ask permission before speaking to the manager of a foreign club, as there is in the Barclays Premier League.
Ancelotti having left on the 26th of June to succeed Marcello Lippi as the new Italy coach, Abramovich first held talks with Hiddink in Rome three days ago, when he asked for his views on Frank Rijkaard and Didier Deschamps. Soon, though, the Chelsea owner was ready to make Hiddink the highest-paid coach in the world, topping the ?6 million salary of Fabio Capello, the England manager.
Chelsea must now return to the drawing board. Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham United manager, is still in contention. Frank Rijkaard, of Galatasaray, is also being considered.
Galatasaray manager Frank Rijkaard rejects Chelsea
Chelsea's search for a new manager has suffered another setback with the news that former Barcelona and now Galatasaray coach Frank Rijkaard has distanced himself from the job.
Rijkaard, has led Galatasaray to runners-up spot in the Turkish league this season and has also won the La Liga twice and the Champions League once during his time at Barcelona with the sort of attractive football much admired by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
His agent, Perry Overeem, is understood to have held informal talks with Chelsea officials in Paris but reports in The Guardian suggest the 47-year-old has since made it clear privately that he does not wish to proceed with discussions. He apparently doesnt want to manage a club in the Premier League as he feels he isnt good with his English.
Chelsea earlier were rejected by the new AC Milan coach Guus Hiddink, though the London club would have been confident of prising his fellow countryman Rijkaard - whose previous coaching experience came largely at Barcelona and the Netherlands national team - from Ali Sami Yen Stadium.
Chelsea insist they are "comfortable" with the way their selection process is progressing, though focus is increasingly falling upon the West Ham United manager, Gianfranco Zola and the currently unemployed former Manchester City and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes.
Chelsea have made an official approach for Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola's agent has sensationally come out and declared Chelsea have asked West Ham to hold talks with Gianfranco Zola, who has only recently signed a new two year contract extention at West Ham.
The former Chelsea striker, who spent seven years at the club and made 229 appearances scoring 59 goals, has been linked with Chelsea since the start. A candidate for the job even when Scolari was in charge, it looked as though Zola was always on Chelsea's shortlist.
Gianfranco Zola's agent told SkySports that Chelsea are a keen admirer of Zola, and want Zola to sign a contract that will put him in charge of the club. "Gianfranco and the West Ham United Football Club have been contacted by Chelsea officials about the vacant managerial position. They want Gianfranco to sign a contract that will put him in charge of the club officially," his agent said.
"Chelsea have shown a real desire to get Gianfranco, and have told me that Gianfranco is there first choice to replace their former manager Carlo Ancelotti." he added. "At this point, there is nothing more to tell about this situation, and it is now down to the three parties involved to come to a solution, as soon as possible."
Gianfranco Zola seemed to have put all clubs off signing him after recently agreeing a contract extension which would keep him at West Ham for another two years. However, it seems as though Zola is still attracting a number of clubs across Europe, heading the list Chelsea, and after two successful seasons at Upton Park in charge of West Ham where he guided them to ninth in league and to the finals of the Carling Cup this year.
Gianfranco Zola has always said he would love to manage Chelsea and has shown his love for the club. With the fact that Chelsea are rumoured to be prepared to offer Gianfranco Zola a big contract worth more than ?6 million a year, and added that Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich is also prepared to offer big funding for the 2010/2011 season, Zola could be very attracted.
SkySports have been unable to receive any comment from Chelsea or Gianfranco Zola himself, but it seems as though Zola's decision could be made within the next week.
Reluctant West Ham clear Zola's path to Chelsea 10th July, 2010
Zola set for talks with Chelsea
The West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has been given permission to talk to Chelsea following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, which was confirmed this morning.
A statement from Hammers confirmed they had been approached by Chelsea asking to talk to Zola about the now vacant manager's post at Stamford Bridge. "Gianfranco has made it clear to the board he would like the opportunity to talk to Chelsea," it read. "In view of this the board have decided reluctantly to give permission subject to terms and conditions acceptable to West Ham United being agreed with Chelsea in advance."
Zola is the 4-5 favourite for the Chelsea job, although he has also been linked with AS Roma following the departure of Claudio Ranieri last month, and is thought to be interested in a move to Stadio Olimpico. Should Zola choose Chelsea, West Ham are expected to fight tooth and nail for a suitable compensation figure.
Ancelotti's appointment as Italy coach was due to Italy's shocking performance in the World Cup where they failed to go pass the group stages. "I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea very much indeed and in particular, I would like to thank the fans, players and staff for their amazing support over the season," said Ancelotti. "I wish the club, and everyone associated with it, much success in the coming years."
Chelsea have attempted to keep the relationship cordial. "The board of directors and all at Chelsea would like to thank Carlo for his efforts and contributions throughout the season," said Chelsea's chief executive Ron Gourlay. "We wish him all the best for the future. Carlo remains a friend of the club." However, with Zola in line to join, club officials are keen to usher in a new era as quickly as possible.
West Ham and Chelsea agree Zola compensation 10th July, 2010
Compensation fee for Zola has been agreed between West Ham and Chelsea
Chelsea have agreed compensation with West Ham United for their manager Gianfranco Zola.
West Ham had yesterday granted Zola permission to talk to City, after it became clear that he was interested in the vacancy following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. "West Ham United can confirm that they have reached an agreement with Chelsea on compensation terms for Gianfranco Zola," said a statement on West Ham's official website.
West Ham are understood to have set a figure of ?6m compensation for Zola and his backroom staff and have now agreed a settlement with Chelsea. Zola, 43, is also believed to be on the shortlist for the vacant manager's position at AS Roma.
Zola joined Blackburn in 2008 after an impressive spell in charge of Italy Under-21, and has added to his burgeoning reputation by guiding them to two consecutive top-10 finishes in the Premier League and one Carling Cup final.
Zola confirmed as new Chelsea manager 11th July, 2010
Gianfranco Zola has left West Ham and has taken the reins at Chelsea
Former Chelsea and Italian international striker Gianfranco Zola has today been appointed as the new manager of Chelsea.
Chelsea parted company with Carlo Ancelotti weeks back when he was appointed as the new Italy manager and a couple of days ago, were given permission to talk to West Ham manager Zola, 43, with a compensation package agreed yesterday. Zola was also believed to be interesting AS Roma after a successful two years at West Ham but has opted to move to his former club Chelsea on a three-year deal.
"I am delighted to welcome Gianfranco on board," said the Chelsea chief executive, Ron Gourlay. "In our view he is the brightest young manager in the game and he was our No1 target for the manager's job after Hiddink rejected us." Gourlay himself was appointed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich at the end of last season, and he flew from US to confirm the deal.
Gourlay continued: "He made it clear to us from the moment we met that he shared our vision and ambition to win Premier League and the Champions League with Chelsea. The club intends to invest in new players as well as securing the long-term services of key members of the current first-team squad. Gianfranco has already identified some of the players and backroom staff that he wants to see here at Chelsea, and we will begin the process of recruiting them immediately."
Zola is expected to be followed to the Stamford Bridge by his assistants Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen and also fitness coach Antonio Pintus, with compensation believed to be in the region of ?6m.
In his two years at Upton Park, Zola - a former Chelsea player - transformed his team into a top-ten side, twice finishing ninth in the league. Hammers also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the finals of the Carling Cup. Slaven Bilic is the early favourite to replace Zola at Upton Park, with Steve McClaren and Phil Brown also featuring in the early betting.
Win a major trophy or face sack, Zola warned by Abramovich
Gianfranco Zola has received a warm welcome at Chelsea,
Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Gianfranco Zola is under instructions to supply Roman Abraomovich with a minimum of one major trophy, at Chelsea if he wants to avoid the same fate as the four managers before him. Zola, whose appointment was confirmed yesterday, has been left in no doubt that the owner will not tolerate anything but a concerted effort to win the Premier League or the Champions league.
Zola will be under even more pressure given the amount of money at his disposal this summer. Zola has identified Edin Dzeko as his major target, with Chelsea preparing a bid of about ?20m for a player who has only a year remaining on his current contract at the former German Champions Wolfsburg.
In total Abramovich will make about ?80m available to Zola and the Russian's associates are still in talks with Valencia striker David Villa and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery. Zola will, in effect, have more to spend this summer than any manager bar Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.
With that, however, comes a form of pressure that he will rarely have experienced at West Ham or in his previous job in charge of Italy Under-21. Abramovich has shown he is not only wealthy but ruthless and it has been made clear to Zola that he must deliver a significant return. To put the manager's task in context, Chelsea have not won the Premier League since 2006.
As a former Chelsea player with an illustrious past at Stamford Bridge, Zola has received a very warm welcome by the Chelsea supporters. He has signed a three-year contract after meeting the club's recently appointed chief executive chairman, Ron Gourlay, in London on Saturday night, when it was pressed upon him that the club wanted a quick answer. By then a compensation package had been agreed with West Ham but Chelsea's concern was that Zola was holding out in the belief that he was second to Marcelo Lippi on AS Roma's shortlist. But Zola was able to give Gourlay the speedy answer that had been requested.
Gourlay, previously an executive for Manchester United and Umbro, went on to describe Zola as "always our No1 target" which was being economical with the truth, to say the least, given that Abramovich spent several weeks trying to persuade AC Milan's coach, Guus Hiddink, to accept the job. What cannot be disputed, however, is that Zola's appointment represents an early success for Gourlay at the end of an unstable period that is likely to see the club's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, move on before the start of next season.
West Ham United's chairman, David Sullivan, said of Zola: "He leaves the club in a strong position with two consecutive top-10 finishes and an excellent squad. In turn, we have helped Gianfranco to establish himself as one of the most sought-after young managers in the business, having previously had no club management experience. We wish him well. We would have liked him to stay but he made it clear he wanted a fresh challenge."
Gianfranco Zola is confident that he can fulfil the lofty expectations of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich by leading the club into a new era of domestic and European success.
Zola, who was officially unveiled as the new Chelsea manager this morning, is under no illusions about the nature of the challenge ahead following his appointment as Carlo Ancelotti's successor. The London club have won just one silverware in the form of the FA Cup since the deparure of Jose Mourinho in 2007 and have seen four managers come and go.
But having guided West Ham to ninth in the Premier League and to the finals of the Carling Cup last season on a limited budget, Zola welcomed the opportunity to pursue the next phase of his career at a club which he played for and with the wealth to match his ambition. Abramovich is expected to back him generously in the transfer market, but Zola believes that he can thrive at Stamford Bridge despite the onerous pressure to succeed that will accompany the Russian's cash.
"There is always pressure, every Premier League manager is under pressure," said Zola. "It's a business where you are judged on results and the key decisions you take. It doesn't faze me - it's something you have to work with and you have to thrive on it. I had a fantastic time at West Ham. It was difficult on occasions with the amount of finance available; I knew there was a limit to how far I could take club. But I'm now at a club that can match my ambitions.
"My ambition is to take the club forward and win many trophies - I've been at a club that has had two consecutive top 10 finishes and one cup final and I want to move on from that and start winning trophies. The ambition of the club is to challenge for Premier League and also the Champions League. I think my managerial team and I can make an impact here. If I didn't think that I wouldn't have come here."
Zola's switch to the Stamford Bridge unfolded against the background of persistent speculation linking him with the managerial vacancy at AS Roma. However, Zola played down the link with Stadio Olimpico, insisting that Chelsea were always his central focus.
"Once Chelsea made their intentions known I was very focused on getting the opportunity to come to the club," he said. "From the time their intention was shown, I had the opportunity to speak to Ron [Gourlay, executive chairman] and members of the board, and it's been very quick and very clear to me that there is are huge project here that I want to be part of, so it was an easy decision at the end."
GIANFRANCO ZOLA has admitted that Chelsea gambled in appointing him to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as manager, but insists that he will repay their faith by bringing success back to Stamford Bridge.
The Italian took West Ham United to two consecutive top ten finishes in the Premier League and also to the finals of the Carling Cup and the semi-finals of the FA Cup. "Chelsea gambled on my ability but I believe in myself," he said. Zola says the pressure of winning titles at Stamford Bridge does not worry him. "I am not afraid of my job. All over the world coaches need to win competitions, not only in Chelsea."
The 43-year-old denied that the Champions League would be the club's priority. "My pressure is the desire to become world class, not just to win the Champions League," he said. "If I say to my players that the Champions League is more important than another competition, I think the players might only prepare for the Champions League. I don't think that's the correct way to look at it."
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