Birmingham City have officially confirmed former Cagliari and West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola as their new manager.
The 50-year-old had a distinguished career as a player for Napoli, Parma and Chelsea, but his coaching career has been more of a mixed bag.
After leaving Cagliari in 2015, Zola moved to Qatari team Al-Arabi, but was sacked after just one season.
Earlier today, Birmingham sacked manager Gary Rowett, and the former striker immediately emerged as favourite for the job, and the Blues have now confirmed his appointment.
Birmingham City have officially confirmed former Cagliari and West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola as their new manager.
The 50-year-old had a distinguished career as a player for Napoli, Parma and Chelsea, but his coaching career has been more of a mixed bag.
After leaving Cagliari in 2015, Zola moved to Qatari team Al-Arabi, but was sacked after just one season.
Earlier today, Birmingham sacked manager Gary Rowett, and the former striker immediately emerged as favourite for the job, and the Blues have now confirmed his appointment.
“The Club is delighted to announce that Gianfranco Zola has been appointed our new Manager,” a statement reads.
“Gianfranco and his backroom team have all agreed two-and-a-half-year contracts. The former Italian international, West Ham United and Watford manager, 50, was identified by new owners Trillion Trophy Asia Limited as the ideal man to lead Blues forward in a new direction.
“Joining Gianfranco at Blues are Pierluigi Casiraghi and Gabriele Cioffi as First Team Coaches, Kevin Hitchcock (Goalkeeper Coach) and Sebastiano Porcu (Video Analyst).”
There then followed a brief quote from Club Director Panos Pavlakis.
“His pedigree, philosophy and ambition fits with what we would like to achieve as we move in a new direction.
“Gianfranco has a wealth of top-level experience as both manager and player and we are extremely excited about his appointment.”