' CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB GETS BIG NAME NEW MANAGER '

GIANFRANCO ZOLA Confirmed as New Championship Club Birmingham City's manager.

Zola, 50, who has been out of work since leaving Al-Arabi in Qatar earlier this year and will take over at St Andrews following the shock departure of Gary Rowett.



Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola appointed as Birmingham boss


GIANFRANCO ZOLA has been appointed Birmingham manager.




By Jack Wilson / Published 14th December 2016

Gianfranco Zola has been appointed Birmingham manager

Pierluigi Casiragh, Gabriele Cioffi Kevin Hitchcock and Sebastiano Porcu will join Zola's backroom staff.

Brum chiefs announced this afternoon that they’d sacked Rowett - despite only being out the play-offs on goal difference.

While the axed boss could be set for a speedy return to management at Norwich, Birmingham quickly identified Gianfranco Zola as the man to replace him.

The Far East owners will make cash available for January transfers and believe a big-name boss will help attract talent.

Chelsea legend Zola has managerial experience in England having previously taken charge of Watford and West Ham.

His last job was at Qatari side Al-Arabi, who he left in June.

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He must of been lined up before today, for it to happen that quickly

Ive got to be honest . He Maybe a bigger name but this is a step down in my opinion as a management appointment in this league and a big mistake on birminghams part

Ive got to be honest . He Maybe a bigger name but this is a step down in my opinion as a management appointment in this league and a big mistake on birminghams part

Ole all over again?

Ive got to be honest . He Maybe a bigger name but this is a step down in my opinion as a management appointment in this league and a big mistake on birminghams part

Agree he is not a talent of a manager that he was playing

Another example of new foreign owners going for a celebrity name.

Rowell has done a very good job there with little money finishing in the top ten in the last two seasons.

Probably go tits up and serves them right!

we've seen this sort of thing before, just look at sean dyche getting sacked by watford. new club want new foreign celebrity manager, and they see rowett as someone who will not fit into their continental structure.

its clearly not a decision based upon performances on the field.

its quite alarming for the future of home grown managers that 6 out of the top 9 championship clubs now have foreign managers.

Ive got to be honest . He Maybe a bigger name but this is a step down in my opinion as a management appointment in this league and a big mistake on birminghams part

Ole all over again?

My first thought was Ole too.

Why get rid of Rowett....? They were punching way above their weight anyway, only out of the playoffs on GD.

Birmingham City’s players are reportedly furious after their manager Gary Rowett was sacked by the club yesterday afternoon, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Thursday 15th December 2016

The first team were in the midst of a recovery session following their 2-1 win over Ipswich Town, when they were called in by Rowett who informed them of the board’s decision to sack him.

Rowett emphasised to his players that this decision was not his.

The players are thought to be baffled and angry at the decision by new owners Trillion Trophy Asia Group.

This drama comes days before a crucial top of table clash between Birmingham and Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend.

Many players, such as Clayton Donaldson and David Cotterill took to Ywitter to express their disbelief, whilst the club look towards Gianfranco Zola to replace Rowett.

The players are joined in their bewilderment by the rest of the footballing world. It seems nobody can understand why the decision has been made.

Zola now faces the tough task of winning the Birmingham City faithful over, and a loss against Brighton on the weekend could make for a real toxic atmosphere at St Andrew’s.

This is up there as the one most ridiculous sackings with Allardyce getting sacked at Blackburn and Hughton sacked at Newcastle.