Gianfranco Zola is in no doubt that he will emerge from this season as a better manager.
West Ham manager not commenting on future
Gianfranco Zola is in no doubt that he will emerge from this season as a better manager.
West Ham have endured a disappointing campaign and still have a lot of work to do to secure Premier League survival.
Zola has also had to contend with an uncertain financial position at Upton Park, as well as speculation about his own future.
The Italian admits it has been a steep learning curve but believes the experience will benefit his career.
"Without a doubt I'll be a better manager because of everything that's happened," he said.
"I'm not joking when I say this year is worth five years in terms of coaching experience. I will be making the most of it, that's for sure."
Zola is reluctant to discuss his own situation until the summer and would prefer to remain focused on keeping West Ham in the Premier league.
"I have an idea about the future but there's no point in me talking about anything right now," he said.
"Instead, it's important that we deal with the situation now and talk about the future later. Now's not the time for talking."
Confident
The Hammers are just three points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Monday's meeting with Liverpool but Zola is convinced his men will beat the drop.
"I'm very confident we'll stay up, even before Everton two weeks ago I said we will stay up. I won't change my mind on that," he stated.
"We need to work hard as a team. The last few games haven't been pretty but the work-rate and desire has been top class and that's why we will get important points.
"The danger has not gone yet so we need to keep working hard.
"Absolutely everyone is pulling in the same direction - everyone really wants this club to stay up.
"The mood here has changed and that's the good thing about football, things can change very quickly.
"We have a new belief so that even though we have not won at Liverpool since 1963, we know that we are not beaten before we get there. We will fight until the end."
