Blues close in on Zola

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Birmingham City have sacked Gary Rowett, with Gianfranco Zola now finalising terms to become the club’s next manager, according to Sky sources.

It is understood that the Italian was in Birmingham on Wednesday evening to finalise his contract, and could be confirmed as the new Blues boss in the next 24 hours. That could be in time for him to take training on Thursday morning.

Former West Ham and Watford boss Zola has been out of work since leaving Qatari club Al-Arabi in June. He was in the running to take over at Hull in the summer but the deal did not materialise.

The 50-year-old enjoyed a glittering spell as a player at Chelsea after moving to Stamford Bridge from Parma in 1996, winning two FA Cups, the Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup.

After retiring he was appointed Italy U21 assistant coach before taking over at West Ham. He then led Watford to the Championship play-off final but resigned the following season. He was then sacked after less than three months in charge of Serie A side Cagliari before his appointment at Al-Arabi in Qatar.

It is understood that there were issues between Rowett and the club’s new Chinese owners and that a caretaker boss will be put in …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com

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