Zola slams Sullivan timing

Hammers boss angered by announcement on eve of crucial clash

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 9th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Zola slams Sullivan timing

Zola: Sullivan response

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Gianfranco Zola has slammed West Ham co-owner David Sullivan after revealing he will urge the entire staff to take a pay cut this summer.

Sullivan and co-owner David Gold have been candid about the financial predicament facing the Hammers ever since they took over the club last month.

They have revealed that West Ham have debts of £110million and in the latest interview, Sullivan said he will ask the players and staff to take a voluntary 25 per cent cut to slash the club's £60m wage bill.

Manager Zola claims Sullivan did not consult him over the issue before announcing his plans to the media and he is angered by the timing of the latest story as it comes on the eve of the crucial home game with Birmingham - the club so recently owned by Gold and Sullivan.

Another time

"I think the article should have been done at another time, not just before a match like tomorrow," said Zola.

"It would have been better to say that at another time and maybe talk to us before talking to a newspaper. That is my feeling."

Zola's side are fighting for their Premier League survival and have taken two points from a possible nine since Gold and Sullivan took over.

The Hammers are one point adrift of safety after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Burnley and Sullivan has said it would be "armageddon" if they were relegated.

Yet, asked if the owners speak to the media too much, Zola replied: "It doesn't interest me. They can talk to the press as much as they want.

"When an article like that comes before a big match like tomorrow, I'm not happy about that because I don't think it is any good for the whole team.

"I just read the article this morning and that's it. The match is all that matters to me and the players.

"I'm not thinking about relegation at all," added the Hammers' boss. "I'm thinking about getting the points that we should have had on the table. That is my only focus. That is why I am here.

Fed up

"Since I have been here it has been a repetition of speculation and problems. To be honest, I'm fed up with that. I just want to carry on with football.

"The players are committed to what we are doing. They believe in it and are determined.

"The defeat against Burnley was unexpected and a big blow. But the fighting spirit is there and we will never give up."

Zola earns £1.9m a year, and Sullivan believes he and the rest of the club's staff are overpaid.

"Personally I can say I am not here for the money," said the Italian coach. "Last year when I signed a contract I didn't even know how much I was going to earn.

"I had a plan and a project and I liked what I was going to do. I didn't know what I was going to earn and then after a while the club called me in about a new contract.

"It's not about money. It is about working for something positive. I always enjoy working for this club. The money was something that came after."