Independent/By Mike McGrath
Zola furious at owners' plan to trade players behind his back Gianfranco Zola's relationship with the owners of West Ham United appeared strained beyond repair last night, when he spoke of his deep frustration at being undermined over transfer policy.
The 43-year-old Italian, having secured the club's Premier League survival last weekend, admitted he knew nothing about a bid for West Bromwich's Graham Dorrans until he read comments from David Gold. Then, David Sullivan made it known every player was up for sale apart from midfielder Scott Parker.
"If I was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon Behrami I wouldn't be very pleased to hear that," said the West Ham manager, who is scheduled to discuss his future with Gold and Sullivan at the end of the season.
"What can I make of that? It is not pleasant for sure," he said. "You don't like it but this is the way it goes. We have been through so many things and we will go through this as well."
It is thought that Gold is a huge admirer of midfielder Dorrans, who was the subject of a £4m offer that was rejected by the Baggies.
"I just found out in the newspapers," Zola said. "It was quite a surprise but I have been surprised so many times this year.
"I didn't know the club was interested in him. I don't know what I would have done if he had been signed. I haven't been contacted but this is part of what will happen at the end of the season after I speak to the owners. It is not nice is it?"
An earlier dispute between the owners and Zola appeared to be resolved in the latter's favour yesterday when the Premier League board absolved Fulham, tomorrow's opponents, of fielding a weakened team at Hammers' then relegation rivals Hull City in March. West Ham had officially complained without the knowledge of Zola, who later said he disagreed with the protest.
Despite the problems, which included the retirement of Dean Ashton, Zola has secured safety with two matches to spare. "It wasn't easy," he said. "There were a lot of things that weren't working very well but we stuck together."
For the final week of the season, Zola is focused on finishing as high up the league table as possible. He added: "We now have the possibility to pass other teams. When people speak about West Ham having a terrible year, there are teams just one point ahead of us who say they have had a terrific year."
www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/zola-furious-at-owners-plan-to-trade-players-behind-his-back-1959498.htmlTELEGRAPH
Gianfranco Zola reveals he knew nothing about West Ham player sell-off Gianfranco Zola's growing sense of anger at the behaviour of West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan was laid bare on Friday when the manager declared he knew nothing about his squad being put up for sale or bids being made for new players.
By Jason Burt
"If I was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon Behrami I wouldn't be very pleased to hear that," Zola said of Sullivan's announcement that every player, bar Scott Parker, can go this summer.
"What can I make of that? I didn't know. We have been through so many things and we will go through this as well."
Parker excluded from West Ham fire sale Zola reiterated that his own future would be decided "at the end of the season" at a meeting he has scheduled with Sullivan and co-chairman David Gold, but it is clear his position has become increasingly untenable.
There are strong suggestions that Sullivan and Gold are split as to whether or not they should retain the manager, with Gold remaining supportive. "They will let me know their regime," Zola added.
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, who is lobbying for the job, is emerging as the favourite to take over, especially as West Ham are already interested in signing players such as Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jamie O'Hara.
West Ham have bid £4 million for West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans, but Zola says he found out about the offer "in the newspapers". "It was quite a surprise," he added. "I know he is a good player and had a very good season but I didn't know the club was interested in him."
Clearly irritated, he added: "I don't know what I would have done if he had been signed. I haven't been contacted but this is part of what will happen at the end of the season after I speak to the owners. I cannot talk about a hypothetical situation. It is not nice, is it?"
Asked whether he was alarmed to hear it first in the media, Zola said: "I have been surprised so many times this year. So I am not surprised that I am surprised." That includes reading that his players are for sale? "It is not pleasant, for sure," the Italian added. "You don't like it but this is the way it goes." It would, certainly, add to the sense that the manager has been undermined.
He sidestepped this, but commented on the co-chairmen: "I haven't spoken to them [about his future]. Some time ago we said we'd talk at the end of the season. That is what we are going to be doing. Regarding what they say in the press, it's their responsibility for what is the best thing to say."
Yet Zola hinted at a difference of opinion between Sullivan and Gold. It is thought Gold is concerned at how the supporters will react should the manager be sacked and also that he has, in trying circumstances, kept the team up.
"At least I appreciate he [Gold] comes over here and talks and tries to be supportive," said Zola, who dismissed Gold's suggestion that he might need a "sabbatical".
"I know it has been a very difficult and tiring season but I recover very quickly from my difficult moments," he said.
There is, also, a sense of relief at West Ham, who face Fulham on Sunday, now that the fear of relegation has been banished.
"I would not have forgiven myself if we didn't do that," Zola added. He can leave without that stain and continue his managerial career.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/westham/7660722/Gianfranco-Zola-reveals-he-knew-nothing-about-West-Ham-player-sell-off.html
