ZOLA: MY DEBT TO SARRI

GIANFRANCO ZOLA admits he has made mistakes in his own managerial career and is grateful to belatedly learn the craft at Maurizio Sarri’s side. ‘It is a new world,’ said Zola, back at Chelsea as a coach 15 years after leaving Stamford Bridge as a player and via managerial roles with Italy Under 21s, West Ham, Watford, Cagliari, Al-Arabi and an awful spell at Birmingham. ‘I was surprised when this opportunity came, considering my job with Birmingham was very painful. This is a blessing and I’m throwing everything at it. ‘I am very proud to have Maurizio’s help. He has opened a big world in front of me. I thought I knew a lot about football. I was wrong. It is an amazing opportunity to learn. I’ve seen very few coaches work so much and with such detail. ‘I knew he was good but I didn’t expect him to be so good. I would have enjoyed playing in his team.’ Zola’s final match was against Liverpool in 2003, a victory which secured Champions League football and convinced Roman Abramovich to buy the club. The Russian tried to persuade him to stay but he had given his word to Cagliari. At the age of 52, he was tempted back in the summer as an assistant to Sarri. ‘It is a different club now,’ said Zola (above). ‘It has evolved and we are looking forward to developing even more.’