Zola returns to Chelsea as head coach assistant

London, July 19: Former Italian football player Gianfranco Zola rejoined Chelsea on Thursday as an assistant to the new head coach Maurizio Sarri, the English club said.

Chelsea considers Zola a legend as he joined the club as a player for seven years, in which he had scored 80 goals and made 312 appearances, reports Efe.

"I am very willing to work hard because it is going to be a difficult challenge but I am pleased to be here, and to work hard with Maurizio to be successful," Zola said in a statement published on the club's official website.

"It would be great to be successful with Maurizio and for the club and I will give my best, as I did in the past as a player, so I will give my best in my new position," he added.

Zola, 52, won the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award in 1996/97 season and was a two-time Chelsea Player of the Year.