Zola returns to Chelsea as Sarri's assistant
ByReuters
Published 18/07/2018 at 22:39 GMT
LONDON, July 18 (Reuters) - Former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola has returned to the club as assistant to new manager Maurizio Sarri, the Premier League side said on Wednesday.
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Zola spent seven years at Stamford Bridge as a player, scoring 80 goals and helping the club win two FA Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and one League Cup.
"For me it is an amazing thing," Zola said in a club statement, which described the former Italy international as one of Chelsea's "all-time greatest players".
"I am very willing to work hard because it is going to be a difficult challenge but I am pleased to be here, and to work hard with Maurizio to be successful."
Fellow Italian Sarri was appointed last week to replace compatriot Antonio Conte, who was sacked, a year after leading the team to the title, after Chelsea failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Sarri, the 59-year-old former Napoli boss, had his first news conference on Wednesday in which he said he wanted to keep Belgian forward Eden Hazard at the club and improve him as a player.
Zola's coaching career has seen him manage West Ham United, Watford and Italian side Cagliari.
He joined Birmingham in December 2016, but quit four months later after a poor run of results.
(Reporting by Toby Davis; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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