A legend of the game? Undoubtedly. An able manager? Impugnable. The moment Gianfranco Zola walked into St. Andrews as the manager of Birmingham City, onlookers were handed a brisk reminder of his standing in the game.
While Zola wasted no time in expressing admiration for himself, Blues fans far and wide were mourning the loss of Gary Rowett. It was football suicide.
Zola’s erratic managerial record at clubs like Watford and West Ham wouldn’t do much to galvanise a disillusioned fanbase. Only positive results would appease some of the resentment felt from a fanbase disorientated with events at their club.
Zola, the first foreign manager of Birmingham City, has produced positive results. Two to be exact. Two from 23 games. If the Italian was on a hiding to nothing before, he’s now up a creek without a paddle.
His reign reached it’s nadir on Good Friday. During a must win game against the whipping boys, Rotherham United, Blues were second best for an hour. Having witnessed another gutless performance, the sold out away contingent voiced their discontent against the manager for the first time.
From here, there’s rarely a come back. Fans have turned on the manager, players have turned on each other. Belief has totally evaporated.
Zola believes that he can resurrect Blues’ fortunes next season after a summer of rebuilding. He believes that he can attract better players to St. Andrews and lead a march towards a play-off spot next season.
But without a win today against Burton Albion, a team in the relegation mix, Blues could crash into the bottom three if they lose at Villa next Sunday. Perish the thought.
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