ZOLA OUT AT WEST HAM UNITED

While the elite teams of the English Premier League aspire to championships and European tournament play, the lower level clubs are often content with mere survival.  This season, however, avoiding relegation wasn’t enough for West Ham United.  On Tuesday, team manager Giafrance Zola was ‘released from his contract’ following a meeting with managing director Karren Brady.  According to team owner David Sullivan, the club is now looking to move quickly in naming a successor.

West Ham United certainly didn’t do much for soccer betting enthusiasts nor their own supporters this season—the best thing that can be said about their year is they managed to survive.  The team finished in 17th place with 35 points, 5 points ahead of relegation bound Burnley and Hull City.  ‘The Hammers’ had 7 wins and 5 draws against 7 losses at home and 1 win, 6 draws and 12 losses away.  

Unfortunately for Zola, the team’s survival at the highest level of English football came with the lowest point total in West Ham history.  That sealed his fate, and the announcement of his dismissal was made with the following statement:

"West Ham United confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola. The board of directors would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future. The club will now be focusing its efforts on seeking a replacement. The club will be making no further comment on this matter."

Despite indicating that no further comment would be forthcoming on the situation, team owner Sullivan quickly did just that in describing the timetable for landing Zola’s replacement:

"We hope to have in place within three weeks an experienced manager. We will study people's past records to find a manager with a proven track record."

Zola thanked the players and fans in his parting statement, though took a crack at team ownership:

"I am extremely disappointed to be leaving West Ham United. Over recent weeks, I have been the subject of various adverse comments, from within the club, which have been widely reported in the media.”

"Despite what has been a very difficult period for me, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at West Ham. I would like to sincerely thank the players and my staff for their continued support, hard work and commitment. I am extremely proud of their efforts, over a long and difficult season, in retaining West Ham's place in the Premier League.”
"West Ham is a great club, with fantastic supporters and I wish the club every success in the future. The termination process of my contract is now in the hands of the LMA and I therefore will be making no further comment at this stage.''

The British soccer media quickly compiled a list of likely candidates for the West Ham job, including Portsmouth boss Avram Grant and former player and current Croatian national head Slaven Bilic.  Others reportedly under consideration are former Blackburn manager Mark Hughes and former Tottenham manager Martin Jol.