It's Not As Easy As It Looks, Says Zola

As a player, Gianfranco Zola could make the game look easy. Since he made the transition to the dug-out, though, it would seem that the game has become a little more complicated for him.

“I’m tired,” Zola said, speaking after his side's 1-1 draw away at Middlesbrough yesterday.

 “It has been a long week.

“When I was a player, I thought it looked so easy."

Zola, who has been in the job since early September, has already found himself as one of the favourites with bookmakers for the sack following a tricky start. His side had lost four games in succession before yesterday's welcome point.

No wonder he sounded tired. “I have been in the job for a couple of months and it has been tough,” he admitted. “Sometimes, it feels more tiring to be on the bench than it is on the pitch. I’m enjoying it, but I thought it was much easier.”

He described yesterday's result as "a huge point" and will have been pleased with his side's solid performance.

It certainly gives him something to build on as he learns to adapt to his new role.

Zack Wilson