Championship strugglers Birmingham City have given underfire manager Gianfranco Zola the dreaded vote of confidence after announcing their full support for the Italian.
Zola has overseen a ruinous tenure in charge of Birmingham since being appointed Gary Rowett’s successor in December and has overseen the club’s plummet down the Championship table.
Reports had emerged suggesting the Birmingham board were considering Zola’s position at the club following just two wins this calendar year, but the club have refuted those reports and have issued their full support behind their manager.
“Birmingham City would like to clarify the situation in regard to Gianfranco Zola after recent articles in the media over the weekend: the club has not lined up any manager to replace Gianfranco, who has the continual full support of the Blues board of directors,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“Whilst we understand the frustrations caused by the run of results, the way the supporters got behind Gianfranco and the team on Saturday and St. Andrew’s was typical of the Blues fans’ passion, care for the club and desire for success, which is what we all share and much appreciate.
“The board and all departments at the club are keeping united and standing alongside Gianfranco, his staff and the players, to try and play the kind of football every Blues supporter deserves to watch.”
Birmingham’s new owners were widely ridiculed for their decision to sack Rowett, who was incidentally the manager in charge of a Derby side that beat Birmingham 2-1 at the weekend.
Zola’s tenure has only vindicated those critics. Birmingham were only one point adrift of the top six prior to his arrival and they are now a staggering 23 points off the play-off positions. Now they are only six points above the bottom three.
For more stats on Birmingham, click here to visit their WhoScored team page
