Gianfranco Zola leaves World Cup punditry role to return to London... but stops short of confirming Chelsea return as Maurizio Sarri's No 2
- Gianfranco Zola was working as a pundit for African broadcaster SuperSport
- But he is leaving to return to London amid links to role as Chelsea assistant
- Maurizio Sarri is set to replaces Antonio Conte as Chelsea's manager
Gianfranco Zola is leaving his World Cup punditry role with African broadcaster SuperSport and is returning to England - but has stopped short of admitting he is to become Maurizio Sarri's No 2 at Chelsea.
Footage of Zola bidding his fellow broadcasters farewell in the early stages of the World Cup emerged across social media on Tuesday night.
'I'll be trying to watch you on my TV in England when I go back,' Zola said, before being pressed on the links to a Chelsea return.
Gianfranco Zola is leaving his World Cup punditry role to return to London amid Chelsea links
Zola refused to be drawn on reports he is to join Chelsea as Maurizio Sarri's assistant
'I was afraid you were going to ask me this,' Zola says. 'Really, I don't know.
'There are a lot of rumours about me, at the moment nothing has happened. We will see what happens in the future.
'At the moment it is only talking, nothing is decided.'
Reports of Zola's Stamford Bridge return first emerged in Italy last week, with La Gazzetta dello Sport saying that Sarri wanted the former Chelsea man to assist him when he eventually takes over the club.
Napoli manager Sarri seems set to replace Antonio Conte as manager of Chelsea
Zola remains a popular character at Stamford Bridge after seven years there as a player
Zola is hugely popular at Chelsea. He spent seven years there from 1996 until 2003 and scored 69 goals.
Antonio Conte's reign as manager is expected to be ended soon. Chelsea need to reach an agreement with the 48-year-old over the termination of his contract and those of his backroom staff.
Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season at Chelsea but last year, they dropped to fifth.
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