Sullivan won’t sack Zola

(GSM) – West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says Gianfranco Zola’s position as first-team manager is secure despite reports that the Italian could be sacked if West Ham lose to Birmingham.

There has been suggestions that former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes could be targeted should Zola receive his marching orders.

Sullivan told Sky Sports News that Zola’s position is “100 per cent secure.”

The Hammers co-owner does not believe sacking the manager would be in the club’s long-term interests and will back him in the transfer market this summer.

“In 17 years we sacked two managers at Birmingham,” he continued. “We’re not sackers.

“We support managers and we will bring in players to improve the team in the summer.

“I think over the next 14 games we’ll learn an awful lot about everyone at West Ham, the team and the manager.

“I’m confident over the next 14 games that the team will improve and that we’ll claw our way up the table.”

Sullivan, though, stressed on the dire conditions of finances at Upton Park.

“The books are horrendous,” he added. “There’s 100-odd million of debt. This might be the last interview I do this season.

“We’ve made the public aware of the situation. We’re not going to go over and over it again.

“It’s an enormous challenge. We think we’re up for it. It’s something that we have to put all our energy into.”