Gianfranco Zola was appointed as West Ham manager on this day in 2008.
The Italian signed a three-year deal at Upton Park as he succeeded Alan Curbishley, who had resigned earlier that month.
Aged 42, Zola came in with a coaching CV showing only a two-year spell working with Italy’s Under-21s.
The Hammers subsequently finished that season ninth in the Premier League, and in April 2009 Zola signed a deal to keep him at the club until 2013.
However, the following season brought just eight league wins, the team ended up 17th in the table and two days after the conclusion of the campaign it was announced Zola’s contract had been terminated.
Zola then spent the 2018-19 season back with Chelsea, as part of then boss Maurizio Sarri’s coaching staff, before departing soon after Frank Lampard took charge.
