Zola’s toughest year

WEST HAM manager Gianfranco Zola ended the season of turmoil at Upton Park by admitting he had lost some of his love for football.

It was a sad day when the Italian, remembered for always playing with a smile on his face during seven years as a player with Chelsea, accepted the stresses of the campaign had affected him.

“See you later,” was his message to the media, but the focus is now on whether he will be waving goodbye to Hammers fans after two seasons in charge.

He has dealt with a change of ownership, his outspoken co-owners, financial constrictions and the retirement of Dean Ashton during the chaotic campaign.

“For me personally, football has always been a joy, always a pleasure,” Zola said. “I played until I was 39 and never considered it as a job or a difficult thing to do.

“But this year, because of all the pressure around us, it was difficult to take it in the same way. It’s been long, tiring and exhausting season for us.

“Football has always been part of my life, always one of the main things. I need it. I need football in a certain way though.

“One of the people I admire most is Giovanni Trapattoni, he is in his 70s and joyful about the game. That is the way I want to be.

“It was only my second year as a manager and you take in everything. I need to get used to it.

“I enjoyed it last year, very much, this year a little bit less. I know where the faults and mistakes lie. I will be working on them.”

Zola is set to meet co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan during the week to discuss his future. It is widely expected that the 43-year-old will be replaced.

“We will have a long and interesting chat,” he said. “The point is speaking to them and finding out what the best thing is to do.

“The club is still in the Premier League at the end of the day and that is what counts. Two months ago many people were asking whether West Ham would stay up.”

After securing safety with a fortnight of the campaign to spare, the match against Manchester City had the feeling of a testimonial or pre-season friendly.

Luis Boa Morte marked his comeback from a serious knee injury by opening the scoring in the 17th minute, then Shaun Wright-Phillips headed home shortly after.

West Ham players went on a lap of honour at the final whistle, with Zola only joining them halfway around.

He added: “It was for the players, that is what its all about. They are the main protagonists, they deserved to go in front of the fans and it was nice to go out after them to say thanks afterwards.”

City manager Roberto Mancini has problems of his own. After failing to reach the Champions League, he has been assured by the club’s board that his future is safe, although he doubts whether they will be able to attract top players to Eastlands.

Liverpool’s Fernando Torres has been suggested as a possible target but Mancini said: “I don’t think so. If we finished in the top four, it would be better and easier to attract them.

“In this situation it is different. There are probably some players who want to play in the Champions League and not in the Europa League.

“We won’t be playing in the Champions League but we must try to win the other competition and finish in the top four in the Premier League.”

Mancini confirmed Craig Bellamy had an ankle injury and did not travel. The Italian also kept Carlos Tevez on the bench for 73 minutes before he was introduced and given an ovation for keeping West Ham in the top flight during the 2007 campaign.

Bellamy and Tevez have been reported to be unhappy at City but Mancini expected Bellamy to be at the club next season, and added: “I do not need to clear the air with Carlos – everything is fine with him.”

Mancini reflected on his short spell as City manager, adding: “I am happy. We have improved from last season. We are in the right position – in the top five. Finishing fifth is better than finishing sixth.

“Things were very difficult when I arrived. It is never easy to join a club in the middle of a season. But we have improved.

“I think we are a good team but if we want to play for the top of the table we must improve. We now have time to buy some players and strengthen some positions.”

Match rating: ** – With nothing at stake the match had a testimonial feel about it and won’t live long in the memory.

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire) 7 – Had little to do but got most decisions right.