Gianfranco Zola
Italian football executive, manager, and former forward who starred for Napoli, Parma, and Chelsea.
Gianfranco Zola (Italian pronunciation: [dʒaɱˈfraŋko dˈdzɔːla]; born 5 July 1966) is an Italian football executive, manager, and former footballer who played predominantly as a forward. He is currently vice-president of the Lega Pro, the Italian Serie C football league.
- Role
- Attacking Midfielder / Forward
- Affiliation
- S.S.C. Napoli (1989–1996)
- Nationality
- Italian
- Status
- Club Legend
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Zola spent the first decade of his playing career in Italy, most notably with Napoli alongside Diego Maradona and Careca where he won the 1989–90 Serie A title, and at Parma where he won the Italian Super Cup and the 1994–95 UEFA Cup. He later moved to English side Chelsea, where he was voted the Football Writers' Player of the Year in the 1996–97 season. During his time at the club, he won the 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups, the League Cup, and the Community Shield. In 2003 he was voted the greatest Chelsea player ever. He was capped 35 times for Italy from his debut in 1991, appearing at the 1994 World Cup, where Italy finished in second place, and Euro 1996. After a stint with Italy under-21s, Zola began his club managerial career with West Ham United of the Premier League in 2008, before being sacked in 2010. He was manager of Watford from July 2012 until he announced his resignation on 16 December 2013. From December 2014 to March 2015 he managed Cagliari in Serie A. He returned to Chelsea as the assistant of new manager Maurizio Sarri on 18 July 2018, ahead of the 2018–19 Premier League season.
In Their Own Story
In 1993, Zola left Napoli and joined fellow Serie A side Parma for ₤13 million, due to the poor economic situation of the Neapolitan club. He was initially accused of betraying the club by the fans, although Zola denied this, noting that Corrado Ferlaino had also been forced to sell other important Napoli players such as Jonas Thern, Ciro Ferrara and Daniel Fonseca, in order to overcome the club's debts.
Reader's Guide
Born in Oliena, Zola signed his first professional contract with Sardinian team Nuorese in 1984. In 1986, he moved to the Sassari-based team Torres, where he spent three seasons. He was noticed by Luciano Moggi in Serie C1 in 1989, he signed for Napoli in Serie A for ₤2 million, making his debut that year. Zola scored two goals as understudy to Diego Maradona as Napoli won the Serie A title in 1990, the only league title of Zola's career. Zola scored his first goal against Atalanta, whilst his second goal was scored against Genoa, during injury time, which allowed Napoli to win 2–1 and maintain a two-point lead over Milan, who were Napoli's main title contenders, in second place. Zola helped Napoli to win the Italian Super Cup in 1990. In 1993, Zola left Napoli and joined fellow Serie A side Parma for ₤13 million. With Parma, he won the UEFA Super Cup in 1993, and the UEFA Cup in 1995. In November 1996, Zola joined Chelsea for £4.5 million. At the end of the 1996–97 season he was voted FWA Player of the Year, the first Chelsea player to win it. In the 1997–98 season, Zola helped Chelsea win three more trophies, the League Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup and the Super Cup. He scored the winning goal in the Cup Winners' Cup final after coming on as a substitute. He also won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 1999–2000.
Did You Know?
- Zola scored two goals as understudy to Diego Maradona as Napoli won the 1989–90 Serie A title.
- He was voted the greatest Chelsea player ever in 2003.
- Zola scored the winning goal in the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final after only 30 seconds on the pitch as a substitute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gianfranco Zola?
He was an Italian footballer who became a revered icon during his seven seasons with S.S.C. Napoli from 1989 to 1996. Fans remember him as a creative genius who revitalized the team after the departure of Diego Maradona.
What role did Zola fulfill on the field?
Zola operated as an attacking midfielder or forward, utilizing exceptional vision and dribbling to orchestrate attacks. Despite his small physical stature, he dominated playmaking duties with technical brilliance.
How does his career connect to Diego Maradona's era?
Arriving shortly after the Argentine legend left, Zola filled the emotional void by bringing similar joy and flair to the stadium. He is often viewed as a spiritual successor who bridged a challenging transitional period for the club.
When did Gianfranco Zola join Napoli?
He transferred from Parma in 1989 and remained with the team until 1996. This seven-year tenure cemented his status as a permanent fixture in the history of the San Paolo.
Why is Gianfranco Zola important to Napoli fans?
His ability to restore hope during difficult times earned him a place among the club's greatest heroes. He remains celebrated for injecting magic into the squad and captivating supporters with his unique style of play.
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