Ranieri says he will back Zola for the position at CFC. Would be a mere formality i would think. If he stayed and results didn't go Ranieris way a few years down the road it might even be manager of CFC.
Hard one to call i agree. However he may turn out to be a real hard nut to please as a manager given his own work etic...something that i would welcome right now. God aweful display in Stavanger and Ranieri is quoted as saying the "played well" Perhaps a kick up the collective arse once in a while or knowing that less than a 100% performance in the game, before kickoff would be grounds for a spot on the bench would be a good thing.
Zola I'd like to see Zola go back to Italy for a bit, take his coaching exams and then come right back to us as a coach. Steve Clarke is still around, and his loyalty to the club is also unquestionable.
Zola would be an awesome coach. I reckon he will be on the brink of coaching us within the next 3 years. Until then though, there are good times ahead.