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Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola served as assistant manager under Maurizio Sarri last season but the Italian has been left without a job after Sarri quit his role as Chelsea manager to join Juventus.

Sarri’s departure to Juve has left Zola high and dry, as he’s now currently without a job, with his contract with Chelsea having expired on June 30th.

Italian journalist Nicolo Schira has claimed that Lampard has offered Zola a lifeline by choosing to make him one of his assistants at the club, but Zola declined the gesture.

“Last Thursday Frank #Lampard has called #Zola,” he tweeted.

“Because Gianfranco could stay in #Chelsea and join his staff as an assistant.”

According to reports, Chelsea offered Zola an ambassadorial role at the club but the Italian also turned down the offer.

Zola is rumoured to be unhappy that his time at Chelsea lasted only a season, and according to Zola’s agent, the Italian is looking to go back into management.

“Gianfranco’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the month,” Zola’s agent and lawyer, Fulvio Marrucco, told The Guardian.

“After a season of hard work and fantastic results alongside Maurizio Sarri, he is ready to take the next step in his own management career.”

Zola has already had spells managing West Ham, Watford and Birmingham, and he’ll be keen to remain in England.