ZOLA GAME FOR LAUGH

AS Gianfranco Zola pulled up at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground on his first day in charge, he was confronted by a Hammers fan at the gate.

Contrary to popular opinion, the supporter did not want to assault the Chelsea legend and stick a blue flag where the sun does not shine.

Instead he handed over a book chronicling West Ham managers to offer Zola an insight into the club's history.

Zola said: "I've read some of it and learned things about the club. One thing struck me straight away. In more than 100 years, the club has only had 11 managers. To me this means there is something special about the club.

"Some have longer chapters than others, of course. That is because of a certain success.

"One of my aims is to make sure that in a few years there is another chapter about me. I hope it is a long one."

When it was clear Slaven Bilic would not quit as Croatia boss to take over after the resignation of Alan Curbishley, chief executive Scott Duxbury boldly made contact with Zola, flew out to Rome and lured him from his role as Italy Under-21 boss.

As soon as Duxbury heard what the Zola system was about, all other interviews were cancelled.

It is a belief the Sardinian spells out simply: "My philosophy is you have to make it enjoyable for players.

"When they enjoy training, their performances are much better and when they are playing with a smile on their face then I'm sure the people who are watching will enjoy it too.

"Let me put it this way: some people think for a team to produce, all you must do is work hard. If people are not enjoying what they're doing, they're not working hard.

Nasty

"I've spoken to tennis professionals, other sportsmen, people in business and they all tell me the same thing.

"The people who have success in their jobs are the ones who are enjoying what they are doing.

"If an eight-hour day feels like only two hours then that is when you are getting the best out of people.

"I can be nasty if I need to be. But as a father of three kids, I know about control. Of course, they are not kids here so there is always the door."

Two weeks ago, Zola had to deal with an incident involving Carlton Cole, who was picked up by police after a late night out

Zola's justice was to fine but not berate the player. The return was a winning goal in last week's 2-1 win at Fulham.

The new Hammers boss has also embraced gambling addict Matthew Etherington by offering the bog-standard left-winger a role as a second central striker. Such nuances are the mark of a clever boss, as is the appointment of ex-Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke.

Zola takes West Ham into today's match against Bolton at Upton Park, having quelled the lynch mob who resented a Blues legend, largely through his acceptance of the West Ham way.

"What is success for West Ham?" he ponders. "Success is when you see the crowd going home cheering and enjoying life.

"For me football is not a war where it is victory at all costs. Sometimes people get carried away by the league table.

"My dream here is to see a team that is going on the pitch and making it obvious they enjoy it.

Excited

"I want to see people coming to the stadium excited. Obviously getting results is important and to pick up a trophy along the way would be good, of course.

"But enjoyment and winning are connected, trust me."

Zola comes from a tough Sardinian background, only fighting his way into Italy's Serie A when he was 23. And he may well need to draw on that with the global credit crunch set to affect West Ham's Icelandic owners and bankers.

Zola admitted: "My task here is to work with what I've got and improve them. It would be easier to go out and pay £30million for a player here, £20m for a player there - but I enjoy managing with what I've got and bring through some young players. That is my challenge.

"And if I can get my team playing the way Arsenal plays then I will be happy.

"Right now Arsenal is the team that plays the best football, not just in England, but in Europe."

Clearly Zola is no longer a Blue, which must be music to the ears of West Ham fans just as has been the way he has so quickly embraced the club's culture . . . with a smile on his face.

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