|
|
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola hits back at owners David Gold & David Sullivan over pay cut revelations
Italian not happy being Hammered before a game...
9 Feb 2010 17:55:00
By Adithya Ananth
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has retaliated at the club's owners David Gold and David Sullivan after the latter candidly announced that the club's staff will be urged to take a pay cut this summer.
The new owners have been very open about the financial state of the Upton Park outfit, admitting that the debts amount to around £110 million.
In the meantime, Sullivan recently revealed that he is set to speak to the players and staff concerning a voluntary 25 per cent pay cut to reduce the £60m wage bill that appears to be overweight on the club's scales.
But Zola has taken a swipe at his bosses for not consulting him before revealing their thoughts to the media, while questioning the timing of the whole affair as the Hammers are set to lock horns with Birmingham City on Wednesday.
"I think the article should have been done at another time, not just before a match like tomorrow," said Zola.
"It would have been better to say that at another time and maybe talk to us before talking to a newspaper. That is my feeling.
"Since I have been here it has been a repetition of speculation and problems. To be honest, I'm fed up with that. I just want to carry on with football."
Sullivan recently proclaimed that relegation would be "armageddon" for the Hammers, while the team has picked up only two points from a possible nine since the takeover by the former Brum owners.
The former-Chelsea hero currently earns £1.9m-a-year managing the affairs of the east London club, but maintains that the monetary benefits remain secondary to his vision of turning West Ham into a superpower.
"Personally I can say I am not here for the money," Zola continued.
"Last year when I signed a contract I didn't even know how much I was going to earn.
"When an article like that comes before a big match like tomorrow, I'm not happy about that because I don't think it is any good for the whole team.
"I just read the article this morning and that's it. The match is all that matters to me and the players."
He added: "I'm not thinking about relegation at all.
"I'm thinking about getting the points that we should have had on the table. That is my only focus. That is why I am here.
"The players are committed to what we are doing. They believe in it and are determined.
"The defeat against Burnley was unexpected and a big blow. But the fighting spirit is there and we will never give up."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The new owners have been very open about the financial state of the Upton Park outfit, admitting that the debts amount to around £110 million.
In the meantime, Sullivan recently revealed that he is set to speak to the players and staff concerning a voluntary 25 per cent pay cut to reduce the £60m wage bill that appears to be overweight on the club's scales.
But Zola has taken a swipe at his bosses for not consulting him before revealing their thoughts to the media, while questioning the timing of the whole affair as the Hammers are set to lock horns with Birmingham City on Wednesday.
"I think the article should have been done at another time, not just before a match like tomorrow," said Zola.
"It would have been better to say that at another time and maybe talk to us before talking to a newspaper. That is my feeling.
"Since I have been here it has been a repetition of speculation and problems. To be honest, I'm fed up with that. I just want to carry on with football."
Sullivan recently proclaimed that relegation would be "armageddon" for the Hammers, while the team has picked up only two points from a possible nine since the takeover by the former Brum owners.
The former-Chelsea hero currently earns £1.9m-a-year managing the affairs of the east London club, but maintains that the monetary benefits remain secondary to his vision of turning West Ham into a superpower.
"Personally I can say I am not here for the money," Zola continued.
"Last year when I signed a contract I didn't even know how much I was going to earn.
"I had a plan and a project and I liked what I was going to do. I didn't know what I was going to earn and then after a while the club called me in about a new contract.
"It's not about money. It is about working for something positive. I always enjoy working for this club. The money was something that came after."
When quizzed as to whether the owners are being a little too open with their views, Zola said: "It doesn't interest me. They can talk to the press as much as they want."When an article like that comes before a big match like tomorrow, I'm not happy about that because I don't think it is any good for the whole team.
"I just read the article this morning and that's it. The match is all that matters to me and the players."
He added: "I'm not thinking about relegation at all.
"I'm thinking about getting the points that we should have had on the table. That is my only focus. That is why I am here.
"The players are committed to what we are doing. They believe in it and are determined.
"The defeat against Burnley was unexpected and a big blow. But the fighting spirit is there and we will never give up."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
