Sullivan: Zola has every right to criticise me

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan responded to criticism from his own manager Gianfranco Zola by telling Soccernet that his Italian boss has every right to reprimand him and that his job is safe until the end of the season.

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David Sullivan (L) and David Gold arrived at Upton Park in January

Sullivan was typically outspoken about the extent of the Hammers' financial plight, suggesting the players will have their wages cut by 25% if the club is relegated, and expressing his view that Zola is over paid at £1.9 million, as well as many of the staff at Upton Park.

Zola responded angrily at Tuesday's press conference by suggesting Sullivan's timing was poor, and that he should have been consulted first.

The Hammers' boss said: "I think the article should have been done at another time, not just before a match like Wednesday. It would have been better to say that at another time and maybe talk to us before talking to a newspaper. That is my feeling.''

However, far from being angry, Sullivan told Soccernet that he likes Zola, and wants to put a few things straight, including the notion that he will wait a few games before making a judgement on his manager.

Sullivan told Soccernet: "I have no thoughts of changing the manager in the next few days, or for the rest of the season, for that matter....and hopefully for many years to come.

"If there is a misinterpretation of what I said about the next few games, then I need to put that right. I can see how that can be misinterpreted so it's important to make it absolutely clear about the manager's position.

"What I meant by my observations is that when the chips are down you learn more about the team, about the manager, about everyone than when things are going well. When it is going very well you don't perhaps see those points, but when they are going wrong, you do.

"That is what I meant. I have every intention of allowing the manager to see out the season, I have no intention of pressing the panic button, because it rarely works changing a manager at this stage when he cannot bring in his own players, and would have to work with the players he has got."

But Sullivan has no regrets about his outspoken remarks, irrespective of how it might have riled his own manager so close to a big game. Sullivan added: "I hope it galvanises the team and the manager together.

"I can see Zola's counter argument that these issues are best not brought to light so close to a game, and yes he has a point, so I am not upset for him expressing it. However if my comments galvanise the team and they produce a performance then it would have been worthwhile.

"I hope it bonds the team and the manager closer together, so they go out and say they are going to show everybody what they can do, what they are made of. People at West Ham have got to face reality. West Ham have won four of their last 24 games, so who can blame me for wanting to take a strong stance if that ends up motivating people?

"But, no I am not going to take offence at Zola taking issue. He is a lovely man, and an honourable man, and a lovely person, so he is quite entitled to his opinion, and in some ways I sympathise with his view.

"Yes, I partly agree with it, but it is very much a subjective view, and if it wins us the game, then I will be happy to have said it. As for reality, you cannot impose a 25% cut in players' wages, you cannot cut their wages at all.

"They have contracts, so it cannot happen, you simply cannot enforce it however much you would like to. The truth is painful though. We have figures based on staying up and figures based on relegation and I don't want to go there regarding how relegation would hit this club.

"But I have become an optimist. I believe we will stay up. But it won't be easy beating Birmingham. They come with an impressive record of only one loss in 18, against a team with four wins in 24. Let's see if I have helped motivate the team and the manager."