Gianfranco Zola... facing daunting challenge to turn the fortunes of Cagliari.

Many might have thought that following last summer’s appointment as Cagliari coach, Zdenek Zeman would transform the ‘islanders’ into a true force to be reckoned with in the Serie A.

Others were also enthusing about Zeman’s ability to introduce promising youngsters to the game like he had done before, particularly during his stint with Foggia between 1989 and 1994.

However, all hopes were dashed as a few days ago, in the wake of Cagliari’s indifferent start to the 2014/15 season – 12 points collected out of a possible 48 – new club owner Tommaso Giulini sacked the Bohemian trainer and instead hired Gianfranco Zola, himself a Cagliari player between 2003 and 2005.

This was the fourth coaching change of the season in Serie A after Rolando Maran replaced Eugenio Corini at Chievo, Roberto Mancini took over from Walter Mazzarri at Inter and Domenico Di Carlo was hired by relegation battlers Cesena instead of Pierpaolo Bisoli.

With Zeman at the helm, Cagliari alternated between flawless and very poor performances in Serie A.

Their only two wins came away from their renovated Sant’Elia Stadium – a 4-1 drubbing of Inter on the fifth day and a 4-0 mauling of newcomers Empoli on the eighth day.

On the road, Cagliari also came from the death and salvage a 3-3 draw when playing Napoli.

Cagliari’s other two positive results away were at Sassuolo (1-1) and Parma (0-0).

On home soil, Cagliari could only manage three draws in eight outings – vs Sampdoria (2-2), Milan (1-1) and Genoa (1-1).

To start with, Zola needs to ensure that Cagliari, Italy champions in 1969/70 at a time when they had the great Gigi Riva within their ranks, become consistent and take a more pragmatic approach to their game.

In similar vein, Cagliari need to transform their home stadium into a fortress, where all opponents find it difficult to emerge unscathed. After all, how can they aspire to avoid a bottom-three finish if they remain the only Serie A outfit without a home win?

Moreover, Zola, who started his coaching career as assistant to Italy Under-21 coach Pierluigi Casiraghi in 2006, needs to address Cagliari’s shortcomings in defence.

This season, Cagliari shipped 29 goals – an average of almost two goals per game. Indeed, such poor defensive record is typical of sides coached by the attack-minded Zeman.

Zola’s appointment came at the right time, just a few days before the start of the January transfer window.

Despite a rough start, Cagliari’s future in the top flight is not yet compromised.

As things stand, they are just three points adrift of fourth-bottom Atalanta and there are still 22 more games to play from now till the end of the season.

In this regard, the former West Ham United and Watford manager knows only too well that if Cagliari were to bolster key positions on the field, they will enhance their chances of staying in the Italian top flight up by no small margin.

Goalkeeper search

Next month, Cagliari are expected to sign a new goalkeeper with a number of shot-stoppers already being linked with a move to Sardegna.

Marco Amelia (free agent), Rafael (Verona), Emiliano Viviano (Sampdoria), Daniele Padelli (Torino) and Vlada Avramov, the 35-year-old Serbian custodian who played for Cagliari between 2011 and 2014 and is currently on loan at Atalanta, have all been linked with the club.

Cagliari’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Alessio Cragno, formerly of Brescia, seems to be too short in experience to remain the club’s no.1.

Up front, despite having scored 21 goals, Cagliari are sorely missing Marco Sau (four goals in 11 appearances).

Sau, the former Juve Stabia and Foggia forward, has been out nursing an injury since the start of November.

Although in attack Zola also has Colombian international Victor Ibarbo and promising duo Diego Farias and Samuele Longo, Cagliari are still being reported to be interested in signing another striker.

Among the players linked with the Sardi are Matteo Mancosu (Trapani), Tonny Sanabria (Roma), Napoli’s Duvan Zapata and Leo-nardo Pavoletti, of Sassuolo.

Zola has a mammoth task in helping Cagliari stay afloat.

Though difficult, it is no impossible task as with adequate reinforcements next month, Cagliari can still have their say this season... starting with next Tuesday’s away trip to Palermo.