Gianfranco Zola: I won't be a managerial OAP like Fergie

Gianfranco Zola insists he has no plans to match Sir Alex Ferguson and become a managerial OAP.

The West Ham chief cannot believe how Fergie copes with leading Manchester United at the ripe old age of 67.

Zola, 43, is a whippersnapper in comparison and is only just starting his second year in charge at Upton Park.

But the Italian revealed how an early row with midfielder Scott Parker proved to him just how stressful life in the dug-out can be.

Zola, who faces United at Upton Park today (SAT), said: “When you are under pressure, you do funny things.

“Very early on at West Ham, I called Scott Parker over to the touchline and yelled at him to do this and do that

“He just looked at me in a very strange way - and then I realised I was talking to him in Italian!

“After that, I just thought: ’What’s happened to you?’ But that is what happens when you are under pressure.

“Sometimes, the adrenaline goes up and you do things that are not right. Maybe in the future I will kick my assistant or the fourth official!

“I admire Sir Alex so much for coping with pressure at United for such a long time. But will I be a manager at 67? I don’t think so!“

Zola, who is without England hopeful Carlton Cole for six weeks with a knee injury, also confirmed his interest in Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni.

He added: “Toni is a player with experience, goals and presence in the box. He is a player that might be good for us.”