26 February 2010 - No Safe Harbor For Portsmouth

On 26 February 2010, Portsmouth earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first Premier League club to go into administration.

The move came in the middle of an already difficult season for the two-time league champions and 2008 FA Cup winners. Under previous manager Paul Hart, they had hit the bottom of the table with a loss to Manchester City at the end of the previous August. Despite former Chelsea manager Avram Grant stepping in to replace Hart in November, they remained dead last for the remainder of the season.

The club's situation was exacerbated by financial problems. Despite the sale of the club to Saudi Arabian businessman Ali al-Faraj in October 2009, Portsmouth failed to pay their players in November and December. Then in February, after al-Faraj failed to make a loan payment to Hong King businessman Balram Chainrai, the club changed hands again, with Chainrai becoming the new owner.

Concerned by the club's debts, estimated to be about £135 million, Chainrai voluntarily placed the club into administration in order to avoid liquidation.The move did little to help the club's Premier League fortunes, however, as the league docked them nine points which virtually guaranteed their relegation at the end of the season.

They dropped into the Championship for the 2010-11 season. In February 2012, they went into administration again and were later relegated into League One, then dropped into League Two the following year. They returned to League One in 2017 and are currently sitting ninth in the table.

11 September 2008 - The Hammers Order Italian

On 11 September 2008, former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola took over as manager of West Ham, making him the Hammers' first boss from outside Britain. Unfortunately for Zola, it didn't work out and the club sacked him after only two seasons.

Previous manager Alan Curbishley had guided West Ham from near-relegation in 2007 to a 10th-place finish in 2008, but resigned in September 2008 after the board sold two key defenders over his objections. The club quickly turned to Zola, an Italian international who had spent seven seasons at Chelsea from 1996 to 2003 and won the Football Writers' Player of the Year Award in 1997. Zola's only prior managerial experience was a brief stint as assistant manager of Italy's U-21 side, but, as a player, he had earned a reputation as an intelligent and creative attacker who understood the game thoroughly.

In his first season at Upton Park, he improved upon Curbishley's record by guiding the Hammers to a 9th-place finish. But the start of the 2009-10 season saw the club beset by financial difficulties and other off-the-field issues, including a near-riot during a League Cup match against rivals Millwall. They limped to a 17th-place finish having taken only 35 points from 38 matches. Two days after season's end, West Ham sacked Zola in favor of former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager Avram Grant.

Zola currently manages Al-Arabi of the Qatar Stars League after joining them earlier this year.

26 February 2010 - No Safe Harbor For Portsmouth

On 26 February 2010, Portsmouth earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first Premier League club to go into administration.

The move came in the middle of an already difficult season for the two-time league champions and 2008 FA Cup winners. Under previous manager Paul Hart, they had hit the bottom of the table with a loss to Manchester City at the end of the previous August. Despite former Chelsea manager Avram Grant stepping in to replace Hart in November, they remained dead last for the remainder of the season.

The club's situation was exacerbated by financial problems. Despite the sale of the club to Saudi Arabian businessman Ali al-Faraj in October 2009, Portsmouth failed to pay their players in November and December. Then in February, after al-Faraj failed to make a loan payment to Hong King businessman Balram Chainrai, the club changed hands again, with Chainrai becoming the new owner.

Concerned by the club's debts, estimated to be about £135 million, Chainrai voluntarily placed the club into administration in order to avoid liquidation.The move did little to help the club's Premier League fortunes, however, as the league docked them nine points which virtually guaranteed their relegation at the end of the season.

They dropped into the Championship for the 2010-11 season. In February 2012, they went into administration again and were later relegated into League One, where they currently sit at the bottom of the table.

11 September 2008 - The Hammers Order Italian

On 11 September 2008, former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola took over as manager of West Ham, making him the Hammers' first boss from outside Britain. Unfortunately for Zola, it didn't work out and the club sacked him after only two seasons.

Previous manager Alan Curbishley had guided West Ham from near-relegation in 2007 to a 10th-place finish in 2008, but resigned in September 2008 after the board sold two key defenders over his objections. The club quickly turned to Zola, an Italian international who had spent seven seasons at Chelsea from 1996 to 2003 and won the Football Writers' Player of the Year Award in 1997. Zola's only prior managerial experience was a brief stint as assistant manager of Italy's U-21 side, but, as a player, he had earned a reputation as an intelligent and creative attacker who understood the game thoroughly.

In his first season at Upton Park, he improved upon Curbishley's record by guiding the Hammers to a 9th-place finish. But the start of the 2009-10 season saw the club beset by financial difficulties and other off-the-field issues, including a near-riot during a League Cup match against rivals Millwall. They limped to a 17th-place finish having taken only 35 points from 38 matches. Two days after season's end, West Ham sacked Zola in favor of former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager Avram Grant.

To date, Zola remains unemployed.