Rowett has his say after Zola quits
GIANFRANCO ZOLA last night resigned as Birmingham manager, saying the players were ‘scared’ to play.
The 50-year-old stood down after a brief meeting with Blues director Panos Pavlakis after yesterday’s 2-0 defeat by relegation rivals Burton, who won with goals from Lloyd Dyer and Lucas Akins.
The Italian won just two of his 24 games in charge and had a win ratio of just 8.3 per cent. Birmingham are fifth from bottom of the Championship, just three points above the drop zone with three matches left.
When he replaced the sacked Gary Rowett on December 14, they were seventh, outside the play-off zone on goal difference.
But the players have struggled to adapt to Zola’s style of play. He said: “We had a lot of chances but you saw a lot of players who were scared to play. It wasn’t an easy job. I felt under pressure from the beginning because this team was in a good position.”
Rowett, now manager of Derby, said he had “mixed emotions” over Zola’s decision.
“I’m not sure resigning with three games to go particularly helps,” said Rowett.
“I can’t tell you what is in someone else’s head but someone is going to have to pick up the pieces because they are in a serious, serious relegation fight.”
Nigel Pearson is the bookies’ favourite at 3-1 to replace Zola.
Rafa Benitez said the 3-1 defeat Newcastle suffered at Ipswich was because his players were not “mentally ready”.
Daryl Murphy scored on his return to Portman Road but Mick McCarthy’s side won through goals from Freddie Sears, David McGoldrick and Emyr Huws.
Newcastle are still in second behind Brighton but have won only twice in the last eight games.
“I thought we were ready but it turned out we were not focused or mentally ready,” said Benitez.
Slavisa Jokanovic is confident Fulham can stay in the play-off places after a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa. Goals by Ryan Sessegnon, Sone Aluko and Neeskens Kebano secured thre win an d. Jokanovic said: “I believe we can finish in the top six.” Villa had Jonathan Kodjia sent off for lashing out at Ryan Fredericks. Jack Grealish scored their goal.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal hailed his side’s fourth victory in a row, a 2-1 success at QPR. Adam Reach put Wednesday ahead before Idrissa Sylla equalised and then Daniel Pudil won it. “We were fantastic,” said Carvalhal.
Aron Gunnarsson’s 25-yard stunner leaves Nottingham Forest in trouble after their defeat 1-0 at Cardiff.
Sam Gallagher earned Blackburn a 1-1 draw with Bristol City, who had led through Tammy Abraham.
Lewis Grabban and John Swift fired Jaap Stam’s Reading closer to securing their place in the play-offs by ensuring a 2-1 win over Rotherham, who led through Tom Adeyemi.
Leeds dropped out of the top six as they lost 1-0 at home to Wolves thanks to Nouha Dicko’s goal.