Former Chelsea forward Gianfranco Zola has emerged as an early candidate to take over as coach of A-League club Sydney FC after the departure of Terry Butcher via mutual agreement today.
The former Italian international is currently assistant coach of the national under-21 team, but his contract with the Italian federation runs out in June and a move to Australia could be on the cards.
A spokesman for Zola said: ‘This interest is genuine. He definitely believes a move to Australia is something he would like to do, and he feels he could help take the club forward. It's really up to the club to make the first move.’
The 40-year-old and his family were hugely impressed with Sydney during their visit over the Christmas period and it is believed the current crisis in Italian football has swayed him even more towards making a move.
And with his contract due to end shortly, he would be available for the club well before the start of the next A-League season.
Terry Butcher’s departure comes less than a year since the club parted with German Pierre Libarski, who took Sydney to victory in the Grand Final in 2006.
