Claudio Ranieri will keep Leicester in the Premier League, according to Gianfranco Zola
Monday 13 February 2017 11:37, UK
Gianfranco Zola has backed compatriot Claudio Ranieri to keep struggling champions Leicester in the Premier League.
Leicester, who have yet to score a Premier League goal in 2017, sit one point above the drop zone after suffering their fifth straight defeat on Sunday, a 2-0 away defeat to relegation rivals Swansea.
Zola, who played for Ranieri at Chelsea between 2000 and 2004 and at Napoli between 1991 and 1993, is confident his fellow Italian can turn the Foxes' fortunes around and guide them to safety.
"I know he is a very capable coach, a very good person and he will produce and give the best," Zola said. "I'm sure they will [stay up]. The players will have to step up a bit but you have to be confident in a coach who did what he did last year.
"I don't think Leicester are doing anything differently from what they did last year but this time it seems to me the chemicals are different. You have to keep working and it will come back. I have been through situations like this in my career. You keep doing the right things and it will come back to you.
"That's the magic of football. It appears and disappears very quickly.
"I haven't spoken to him - sometimes it's better to keep quiet - but I wish him all the best."
Zola has endured his own difficulties this season since succeeding Gary Rowett as Birmingham City manager in December, having won just once in 12 games to date.
But the former Chelsea star knows difficult periods are to be expected in football and believes it is important for managers to have the courage in their convictions to battle through adversity.
Zola added: "It's our life, we know as a coach, our world is very unstable so you have to be used to that. You have to be prepared and be strong in these moments and don't lose your focus and concentration.
"This is our world, this is my world and I have to live in it. It doesn't take away any enthusiasm, any passion for the game and it doesn't change my idea how football should be done."
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