Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 7y

'Learning English essential for Premier League' Zola tells Allegri, Spalletti

Gianfranco Zola has told fellow Italian managers Massimiliano Allegri and Luciano Spalletti to brush up on their English and mind their manners if they plan to join him in England.

There is speculation in Italy that Juventus coach Allegri is being lined up by Arsenal to replace Arsene Wenger in June, while Roma boss Spalletti is being touted by La Gazzetta dello Sport to step into the shoes of Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur, should he land the Barcelona job.

Zola is currently in charge of Championship side Birmingham City, having previously managed West Ham United and Watford. He says one of the biggest lessons he learnt when he first arrived as a player at Chelsea in 1996, and it would be the first thing he would tell any of his Italian coaching colleagues before moving to the Premier League.

"When I arrived to play for Chelsea, Ruud Gullit told me: 'do not dive and be respectful, for the fans and for your opponents,'" Zola told La Gazzetta. "Then I got talking with [Gianluca] Vialli and [Roberto] Di Matteo and they told me 'don't think like an Italian,' and obviously they were not saying it in a disrespectful way, but were meaning that I had to adapt to a new, different world.

"You have to be respectful towards everybody, for example by not demanding free kicks against your opponents and not trying to be sly or cheeky. I'm talking in general here and not referring specifically to Max or Luciano."

Both coaches are reportedly learning English and this is something else which Zola says would be essential.

"You've got to know the language and know it well," Zola said. "This is also a form of respect and it is also easier and quicker to give instructions to your players. Language is everything. Communicating your thoughts is the best road to be on if you want to be yourself and to be perfectly understood, without any misunderstandings."

Finally, Zola said Italian coaches need to forget one of the biggest principles of the Italian game if they are to succeed in England.

"You need to understand what the people want to see, and that is their team playing to beat their opponents," Zola said. "The idea of being conservative does not even get contemplated. Here in England you play to win, always. That is essential."

With Claudio Ranieri winning the title with Leicester City last season and Antonio Conte's Chelsea 10 points clear at the top and on course for the title, which was also taken to Stamford Bridge by Carlo Ancelotti, Italian coaches are becoming increasingly popular in the Premier League.

"This is great recognition," Zola said. "It is further proof that we know what we are doing and that we are appreciated. Look, the Premier League has opened up to foreign coaches in recent years, but one thing has got to be clear: they don't just let anybody in. They are very demanding and selective.

"And then there is one other thing: in Italy there are always lots of gossip and stories, but here in England they just play football."

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