Zola is a marked man within the soccer world. Having survived many attempted removals and press witch hunts, it finally seems that he has run out of luck and could soon be kicked out of West Ham United. Some people have been calling for this to happen for quite some time and there is a feeling that it is rather late to deal with all the problems that have made life so difficult for Zola in the league. He is one of those managers who simply refuse to give up. They are determined to win the good fight despite the efforts of others in the soccer world to derail them.
David Sullivan who happens to be a partner in the ownership of the club refused to be drawn into the calls for Zola to stay. This is very dangerous ground for the manager because a loss of confidence from the top is just a lethal dose that could effectively kill of his tenure at the club. Of course it might be an oversight on the part of Sullivan but the lack of support is so glaring as to cause concern within the camp of the Zola supporters. The absence of a definitive decision has given the tabloids free reign to make up whatever nonsense they think fits the picture. Every day is filled with a new revelation and a new speculation on the future of the manager. To all intents and purposes he is a dead man walking. He must know that his dismissal letters are just a matter of time not possibility.
Sullivan has been rather clever by avoiding the issue and saying that they are going to sit down with Zola at the end of the season and decide the next step forward. This might be interpreted as an indication that the riot act will be read out for the hapless Zola and he will be offered ultimatums. Nobody really knows what is going on but it must be hard for Zola to forget it all and get on with managing the team.
Gianfranco Zola in Some Soccer Stew