Latest news with #GianfrancoZola
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
World Cup winner and one-club legend, 48, rolls back the years with stunning goal from HALFWAY line
WORLD CUP winner Francesco Totti showed class is permanent with a stunning goal from the HALFWAY LINE. The Italian football legend was starring in an amateur game organised by Operazione Nostalgia in Parma. 9 9 9 9 9 9 Totti, 48, was one of several former stars who featured in the game, including the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Javier Zanetti, Adriano and Hristo Stoichkov. But it was the Roma icon who made the headlines as he scored from the middle of the pitch. With just over 20 minutes on the clock, Totti received the ball just inside the centre circle after having the ball played to him from the right side. The bouncing trajectory of the ball saw Totti control it with the outside of his right boot and direct it in front of him. However, after just one bounce Totti did the unthinkable and smashed the ball towards goal with his right foot on the halfway line. The marksman had noticed former Parma and Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey off his line when he lashed the ball forwards. Frey was backpedalling frantically but had to jump to try and stop the ball from sailing into the net. However, Totti's shot had directed itself to the very top corner of the goal and there was ultimately nothing the Frenchman could do to keep it out as it snuck just under the bar. Frey managed to get fingertips to it, but only pushed in onto the woodwork before it hit the back of the 45-year-old and fell into the net as the goalie stumbled into the side netting. A huge roar went up from the crowd as they took to their feet to give Totti a standing ovation for the brilliant effort. Scott McTominay dances with old fan while puffing on cigarette as never-ending Napoli title party continues Totti's team-mates rushed to him to celebrate the extraordinary goal, with one of them seen jumping on his back. Even Frey, despite his humiliation of conceding from the halfway line, had to respect the audacity of the strike and was seen with a wide smile as he emerged from the goal. The clash between the two teams, with Totti's Rabona coming up against Sombrero, ended with 14 goals as the match ended 7-7. One-club man Totti retired from professional football in 2017. However, the Serie A icon had joked he could still play at the top level and revealed one club - believed to be Cesc Fabregas ' Como - had tried to coax him back into playing. Totti had said: "No, it's not a joke. I took it a bit seriously, so let's see. There are one or two teams who have asked about me. "Let's see what my head tells me, but above all my body. Let's see how it reacts. "My head already knows the answer. Who knows what next year will bring." Totti scored 307 goals in 786 club appearances for the Giallorossi, while adding nine goals in 58 Caps for Italy, including one on route to the Jules Rimet in 2006. While Totti's goal record could arguably have been better, he had a more than stellar assist record with the national team with 25, including four at the World Cup in 2006 - two of which came in the quarter-finals. 9 9 9
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Watford appoint their latest manager a week on from sacking former Man United star Tom Cleverley - as they pin hopes on 18th manager in last 12 years
Watford have announced the appointment of Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach a week on from sacking former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley. The 42-year-old Uruguayan succeeds Cleverley, who was sacked on May 6 following the Hornets' disappointing 14th-place finish in the Sky Bet Championship. Cleverley, 35, who made 79 appearances for United between 2011 and 2014 and won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson 's last season, joined Watford as a player in 2017 and spent the final six years of his career at the club. He then took up an academy coaching role before replacing Valerien Ismael as manager last March, initially on an interim basis. Cleverley, who also won 13 England caps, took charge of 52 Watford matches, winning 19, losing 24 and drawing nine. Watford failed to win any of their final five matches, with a 1-1 draw on the last day against Sheffield Wednesday ending a run of four straight defeats. The club have now turned to their latest boss in a bid to improve their fortunes. Pezzolano becomes Watford's 18th permanent boss since Gianfranco Zola left in December 2013. He began his managerial career at Uruguay's Torque City, and after spells in Mexico and Brazil he took over at Spanish club Real Valladolid, earning promotion to LaLiga in 2024. 'Paulo has a hugely-impressive track record working with young players, which is essential when you look at the age profile of our squad,' Watford sporting director Gian Luca Nani told the club's official website. 'We believe Paulo is the leader we need as we refocus ahead of the new season. He is fully aware of our ambitions and determination to push for promotion, and embraces that challenge.' On Cleverley's departure, Nani said: 'We thank Tom for his service – not just in his role as Head Coach but for everything he has given Watford as a player and member of staff. 'But the time has come for a change and to build on what we believe is a young and talented squad that will have benefitted from the experience of the Championship this season. 'It has been a privilege to work closely with Tom; to understand how he sees the game and his enthusiasm for everything here. He deserves to be recognised for this and I'm sure he will have a bright future in the game. 'Tom will always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 OTD 1998: Chelsea put themselves back on the European map
Chelsea are now bona fide European royalty but it wasn't always this way. Long before Roman Abramovich's Stamford Bridge revolution, continental success proved harder to come by with a solitary Cup Winners' Cup in their past 27 years. But one soon became two for the Blues as they won the competition for a second time on this day in 1998 courtesy of a 1-0 win over Stuttgart in Stockholm. Gianfranco Zola swept home the game's only goal to clinch victory for Gianluca Vialli's side and with it, put the club officially back on the European map. On this day in 1998, Gianfranco Zola scored the only goal as Chelsea won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 🏆 — 90s Football (@90sfootball) May 13, 2025 It proved to be a sign of things to come in west London. 📸 TOBIAS ROSTLUND
New York Times
13-03-2025
- Business
- New York Times
CFC LDN: Why Chelsea are leaning on their London heritage with new branding
There is a fan theory circulating that Chelsea's introduction of the 'CFC LDN' branding this season is tied to a potential loophole that could see them circumvent Chelsea Pitch Owners. It's worth remembering that Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) owns a company called Chelsea Stadium Limited (CSL), which owns the freehold of the club's Stamford Bridge stadium and the very name Chelsea FC. As part of a long-standing agreement, it leases the ground to Chelsea for a nominal rental income. In 1997, the club and CSL signed a 199-year lease, so it won't be expiring anytime soon. Advertisement The outcome of this is that should Chelsea seek to move stadium, they would either need to surrender the name 'Chelsea FC' to CPO or obtain its permission to go to a new venue. It ultimately means a potential move is much more complicated than just knocking down the Bridge or upping sticks to a new site. Chelsea would need a majority of more than 75 per cent in any CPO vote on moving to a new ground. A fun conspiracy theory, yes, but one not substantiated by anyone at the club — and also dispelled by Sean Jones KC, a leading lawyer and board member of CPO. Throughout this season, the CFC LDN branding has been visible at Stamford Bridge, on the club's website, in promotional material, and on their social media pages. The new logo, which features a lion, was designed by Uncommon Creative Studio and trademarked last summer before it started to appear in the club's marketing campaigns and on their official online store. 🌏 We are heading to Thailand with Gianfranco Zola! Bangkok will host our final The Famous CFC experience this season, proudly presented by @DiscoverASR. 🇹🇭 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 5, 2025 Chelsea sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, have maintained throughout that the club's crest is not going to be replaced by this new badge. Instead, they are viewing the lion icon as a way to diversify their brand, emphasising the fact they are based in London to people who may not know where Chelsea actually is, and reach new audiences outside the United Kingdom. It is why, for example, the promotional material on their website for former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's visit to Shanghai, China, later this month features the new artwork, along with slogans 'THE FAMOUS CFC' and 'FROM LONDON TO THE WORLD'. Chelsea first approached Uncommon in December 2023 and commissioned the company to design and create the icon two months later. 'The brief was to create a new ownable visual identity for the club, which could bring the club into the modern era, exporting its 'London-ness', and make it stand out from all other football clubs,' Nils Leonard, Uncommon's co-founder, tells The Athletic. Advertisement There is a good chance that UK-based football supporters know Chelsea is an area of London, so CFC LDN isn't targeted at them. It is aimed at supporters in Asia and America, for example, who may have heard of Chelsea but won't necessarily know the club play in England's capital city. But why is being associated with London so important? 'This may be particularly aimed at the American market, especially ahead of the Club World Cup (being played there this summer) and men's World Cup (which the U.S. co-hosts with Canada and Mexico next year),' explains Richard Busby, chief executive of BDS Sponsorship. 'In Serie A the top division of Italian club football), for example, most of the clubs are named after the place where they are located. In La Liga (the Spanish equivalent), a few teams don't have the name of where they are, and you wouldn't necessarily know where they are based because the name doesn't tell you. 'It is the same in the UK. So, within reason, if I am visiting London from overseas and wanted to see a team and vaguely know where I am going, then Chelsea's branding makes sense.' Although the initial reporting on the CFC LDN branding indicated it was designed to coincide with the club's 120th anniversary, those inside the club are not characterising it in that manner, noting that it would have been rolled out this week as opposed to when this season's home kit was launched in July. When Uncommon unveiled the design, it described the finished article as a 'new icon to show Chelsea as London's true club', something many other London-based clubs established long before the Stamford Bridge side probably raised an eyebrow at. Uncommon's questionable slogan aside, Leonard explained how the thought process that goes into designing a new icon is more nuanced than just creating a logo. Advertisement 'There is also a huge amount of work involved in looking at the real estate and media that any design thinking will play a part in,' Leonard added. 'Screens are a huge part of any club story these days, and how a design system might move and travel on screens. The stadium, programme, hoarding and physical experience are a huge part of what it means to support a club, so whatever we did had to shine there.' Chelsea's trademark is in place until 2034. The categories in which it has been registered mean it can be licensed to pretty much anything that can be sold, whether that is a belt buckle, soap-bubble wands or non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other digital assets. 'Even at an early stage, Chelsea would register as many classes as they want, even if they're not planning to launch products into those classes because it would just it would stop anyone else doing it,' Natasha Dyson, the founder of Blonde Sheep Licensing, explains. 'There is a law that if they haven't launched a product within a certain period of time, then they would lose those rights. But that's a couple of years down the line.' As for the costs associated with trademarking a logo, Dyson notes they can start 'anywhere from £150' and the more classes, the bigger the cost. Registering it in different markets, such as Asia and the United States, also increases the price. 'They would likely initially register it in the UK and Europe, which can be done within a couple of months,' Dyson adds. 'Once they've done that, they would probably trademark it in Asia, but they can do that through the same trademark lawyer.' Now they own the trademark, Chelsea, in Dyson's words, 'control' who they sell the licence to, adding how they 'probably have a strategy in terms of the type of products they wanted to develop' before rolling them out. Busby, however, is sceptical when asked if the branding can help boost the club's income from international markets. 'I can't believe the commercial benefits are that significant compared to the costs associated with redesigning the logo, which will be a lot of money,' Busby says, estimating that bill for such a project, including the market research, 'could conceivably be six figures'. Advertisement 'I do get it as a principle for overseas visitors who want tickets to watch Chelsea, but I would suspect the cost against the return would be very small,' he adds. Although Busby is dubious about the logo's ability to drive significant interest from overseas visitors, he is more receptive to the idea of the club generating income via merchandise sales with the CFC LDN branding. 'If you think about selling merchandise, then they could make a lot of money from this,' Busby claims. 'And maybe they think putting London on the merchandise will increase sales.' As Chelsea celebrate their 120th anniversary, now more than ever they are leaning into the fact they are located in London. In what is a crowded market for Premier League football clubs, with Fulham just down the road, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to the north, West Ham United and Crystal Palace to the east and south and Brentford to the west, Chelsea are trying to stand out. Their aim is to speak to an international audience. They want casual football fans to associate Chelsea with London, hence Uncommon's 'London's true club', copy line. Whether it makes any difference or not is too early to say, but Chelsea's use of their home city so prominently in marketing material and other commercial streams is not going to slow down anytime soon. If anything, it will only increase.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Football legend Gianfranco Zola to headline The Famous CFC Bangkok, as Ascott presents Chelsea's global fan experience for the second time this season
LONDON, ENGLAND/ BANGKOK, THAILAND/ SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 March 2025 – The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the Official Global Hotels Partner of Chelsea Football Club, is excited to bring The Famous CFC to Bangkok, Thailand, as the event's presenting partner. Building on the remarkable success of the Singapore edition, Ascott is proud to bring the immersive global fan experience series to another of Chelsea's passionate Southeast Asian fanbases. Scheduled for 25 and 26 April 2025, the two-day celebration will be held at Ascott properties across Bangkok, including Ascott Embassy Sathorn Bangkok and Somerset Rama 9 Bangkok, promising an extraordinary experience for Chelsea supporters and members of Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott's loyalty programme. The upcoming Famous CFC in Bangkok will feature Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, a beloved figure among fans for his exceptional contributions to the club from 1996 to 2003. A two-time Chelsea Player of the Year, Zola's impact on the Blues was immeasurable, with supporters voting him the club's greatest-ever player in 2003. Throughout his illustrious career, Zola helped Chelsea secure numerous major titles, including the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups, the League Cup and the Community Shield. Zola's visit to Bangkok is eagerly awaited, with the event marking Chelsea's much anticipated return to the city for the first time since 2017. Zola's star power was on full display during the Singapore edition of The Famous CFC on 30 November and 1 December 2024, where he received an overwhelmingly warm reception from fans, many of whom travelled from across the region to meet him. While Zola's footballing legacy was widely celebrated, it was his approachable nature that truly captured the hearts of supporters. His first visit to Singapore deepened the admiration and respect fans already had for him, and now Zola is set to bring that same warmth and rapport to Bangkok's passionate Chelsea fanbase this April. The Famous CFC is an international fan engagement programme designed by Chelsea to strengthen its bond with supporters worldwide while fostering collaboration with international partners and brands. Launched in 2023, the event has already made its mark in cities like Mumbai, Los Angeles, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, bringing together fans and creating unforgettable moments that showcase the togetherness and spirit of Chelsea. The Bangkok edition will feature an exciting lineup of activities, including a watch party for Chelsea's match against Everton on 26 April and an exclusive meet-and-greet with Zola. Tan Bee Leng, Chief Commercial Officer, Ascott, said: "Following the resounding success of The Famous CFC in Singapore, we are thrilled to bring this extraordinary fan engagement experience to Bangkok, Thailand. Headlined once again by Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, this latest edition of The Famous CFC reaffirms Ascott's commitment to engaging Chelsea's global fanbase and elevating our hospitality experiences to deliver heartfelt moments that extend far beyond the pitch. Much more than just a gathering, Ascott Star Rewards members will have the exclusive chance to meet Gianfranco Zola in person, hear firsthand stories from his illustrious career, and immerse themselves in the legacy of Chelsea Football Club with behind-the-scenes insights. The Famous CFC Bangkok will offer an exclusive layer of engagement, including priority access, VIP hospitality experiences and curated stays at Ascott properties in Bangkok, ensuring that every moment – from check-in to the final whistle – is infused with meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that go beyond booking a stay." "Since becoming Chelsea's Official Global Hotels Partner, Ascott has been bringing global fans closer to the club they love while redefining hospitality with our exclusive Ascott Star Rewards offerings, such as match-and-stay experience packages that include football clinics with Chelsea soccer school coaches at Cobham Training Ground and VIP access to Ascott's private hospitality suite at Stamford Bridge. Our loyalty members are also eagerly anticipating the rebranding of the two stadium hotels – currently operating as Stamford Bridge Hotel London – to Ascott's lyf brand by the second half of this year. lyf's experience-led social-living concept aligns seamlessly with Chelsea's spirit and the vibrant atmosphere of Stamford Bridge, promising an exciting new chapter for both our guests and Chelsea fans," added Tan. Casper Stylsvig, Chelsea's Chief Revenue Officer, said: "We are excited to return to Bangkok as part of The Famous CFC global series, offering a unique opportunity for the club to engage with its passionate fanbase around the world. This marks our first visit to Bangkok since 2017, and we are delighted to partner once again with Ascott to bring our global vision to life in innovative ways following the successful trip to Singapore last November. We look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for our supporters and Ascott Star Rewards members alike." Gianfranco Zola said: "I'm thrilled to be part of The Famous CFC again this year and to return to Southeast Asia for the second time with the programme. After my memorable visit to Singapore, I'm looking forward to spending more time with our incredible fanbase in the region and discovering the beauty of Bangkok. It's always special to connect with fans in such spirited communities." Win An Evening with Gianfranco Zola in Bangkok, exclusively for Ascott Star Rewards members In anticipation of The Famous CFC in Bangkok, Ascott is pleased to launch an exclusive campaign for ASR members. Participants who book and stay with Ascott will have the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience with Zola, including passes to the Ascott x Chelsea pre-match party, featuring a special appearance by Zola. For more information on the campaign and prizes, visit The Famous CFC Experience Packages Ascott has also launched two exclusive experience packages for The Famous CFC in Bangkok, available only to ASR members. Both packages come with ASR points, which can be redeemed for stays at Ascott Embassy Sathorn Bangkok, Somerset Rama 9 Bangkok or any other participating ASR property. The 'Intimate Fan Experience with Gianfranco Zola' for two includes access to the Ascott x Chelsea pre-match party, featuring a special appearance by Zola, and a limited edition Ascott x Chelsea co-branded merchandise pack. The higher-tier 'Ultimate Weekend with Gianfranco Zola' for two includes all the same benefits, plus an exclusive VIP meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Zola. For ticketing details and the latest updates on The Famous CFC in Bangkok, please visit About Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) offers members a range of exclusive privileges designed to elevate every aspect of their travel experience. From priority welcome services and access to airport lounges, to enhanced stay benefits such as car rental privileges, bonus ASR points, airline miles and travel vouchers, ASR ensures a seamless, start-to-finish experience. Beyond exceptional stays, ASR members also enjoy access to Ascott Privilege Signatures, which unlocks invitations to prestigious global events, including Premier League football matches, renowned tennis tournaments, and elite gastronomy and lifestyle experiences. To become an ASR member, sign up today at Hashtag: #TheAscottLimited #AscottStarRewards #DiscoverASR #StayRewarded The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About The Ascott Limited Since pioneering Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with about 980 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott's presence extends across about 230 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA. Ascott's diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, coliving properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Fox, Harris, POP!, Preference, Quest, Vertu and Yello. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott's loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties. A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds. For more information on Ascott and its sustainability programme, please visit Alternatively, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. About CapitaLand Investment Limited Headquartered and listed in Singapore in 2021, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real asset manager with a strong Asia foothold. As at 31 December 2024, CLI had S$136 billion of assets under management, as well as S$117 billion of funds under management held via stakes in seven listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts and a suite of private real asset vehicles that invest in demographics, disruption and digitalisation-themed strategies. Its diversified real asset classes include retail, office, lodging, industrial, logistics, business parks, wellness, self-storage, data centres, private credit and special opportunities. CLI aims to scale its fund management, lodging management and commercial management businesses globally and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand Group's development arm. In 2025, CapitaLand Group celebrates 25 years of excellence in real estate and continues to innovate and shape the industry. As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders. The Ascott Limited
