Skip to content

Walter Zenga: Ten things you need to know about Wolves' new coach

Walter Zenga will take over as Wolves boss on Monday

Wolves have announced that Walter Zenga will be their new head coach following Kenny Jackett's dismissal on Friday, but who is the much-travelled new boss?

The appointment comes after Chinese group Fosun International completed their £45million takeover of the Championship club last week.

As Wolves usher in a new era, here are 10 things you need to know about the new man in the Molineux hotseat.

1) Wolves are Zenga's 16th club in 18 years as a manager. He has also had spells in charge of Steaua Bucharest, Red Star Belgrade, Catania, Palermo and Sampdoria. He was most recently at Al-Shaab in the UAE.

Wolves appoint Zenga
Wolves appoint Zenga

Wolves have confirmed the appointment as Walter Zenga.

2) The former goalkeeper had a distinguished playing career between 1978 and 1999. He spent most of it at Inter Milan, but also represented Sampdoria, Padova and New England Revolution.

3) Zenga is regarded by many as one of the best goalkeepers of all-time, and won the prestigious IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award three times between 1989 and 1991. Only Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas have won it more times.

4) He won 58 caps for Italy between 1986 and 1992. He was called up for the 1984 Olympic Games and the 1986 World Cup, and he became Italy's first-choice at the 1988 Euros and the 1990 World Cup.

Also See:

Walter Zenga (L) in action for Italy against Argentina in the 1990 World Cup semi-final
Image: Zenga (left) in action for Italy against Argentina in the 1990 World Cup semi-final

5) At the 1990 World Cup, Zenga registered five consecutive clean sheets across 518 minutes as Italy finished third. It is a major tournament record which still stands 26 years later.

6) He was nicknamed 'Spiderman' during his playing days due to his agility and outstanding reflexes.

7) Zenga was known for his flamboyant reputation on and off the pitch. After hanging up his boots in 1999, he enjoyed a brief stint as an actor in Italian soap opera 'Costanza' whilst dating Italian actress and lingerie model Hoara Borselli.

8) He has a fiery reputation as a coach. While in charge of Al-Nasr in 2012, he was fined for calling a reporter stupid after a 1-1 draw with Al Wahda. "I will not answer this stupid question," he said. "I enjoy my time in football. You are nothing. You are nobody."

Walter Zenga has had a checkered managerial career
Image: Zenga has had a checkered managerial career

9) Wolves will be Zenga's first job in England but he was linked with the Bolton Wanderers job in 2008 and his name was mentioned as a possible candidate for Southampton before Claude Puel took over this summer.

10) In November 2015, Zenga was sacked after only 12 Serie A games in charge of Sampdoria.

Around Sky