The charming manager of the Boleyn Ground outfit has reaffirmed his loyalty to current employers West Ham United, but insists he is flattered that the Chelsea fans still hold him in high regard...As the home fans trickled into Stamford Bridge to attend the club's last fixture against Hull City, so too did banners and flags indicating the supporters' stance on Luiz Felipe Scolari's torrid tenure, together with their choice of who they felt would be the best candidate to serve the club.
The names of Gianfranco Zola, Roberto di Matteo, and Steve Clarke were draped over seats and the stands. The message was clear.
A drab 0-0 scoreline wrapped up a frustrating day for the Blues, Scolari was quickly relieved of his managerial duties, and again the calls for former favourite sons such as the aforementioned trident increased in volume.
Russian national manager Guus Hiddink has been appointed to the role on a temporary basis but, speaking for the first time since his name was linked so relentlessly to the Chelsea hotseat, Zola today revealed how "pleased" he was that the home crowds still hold him close to their hearts.
"Well, I am pleased," he said, concerning his name scrawled on the many Blue flags on matchday 25 in west London. But he insisted he is committed to his east London project at Upton Park.
"I am at a club where I, and Steve Clarke, we want to do well. The only things I can express is that they [Chelsea] do really well.
"It is very pleasant because it means they [the fans] have a lot faith and trust in you and means we are doing a good job over here. I am grateful, I wish them to do well, but that's all."
West Ham host Middlesbrough in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend, and the pre-match press conference was supposed to focus on the fixture ahead, but reporters continued to train their line of questioning on the likelihood of his future return to his former club.
"Look, I'm very happy with the project at West Ham. I've still got a lot to learn in the job, and a lot to give the club."
Many commentators have cited the departure of Steve Clarke as a key factor in the decline of Chelsea's fortunes.
"I don't like talking about that, but for me Steve Clarke is a big part of the job we do here. He is really top, really top," Zola said.
Regarding Scolari's replacement, Guus Hiddink, the pint-sized Italian concluded: "Guus' credentials are very good. I wish, honestly, that he does a good job."
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