Gianfranco Zola serves as on-course motivator for Team Europe at Ryder Cup

Gianfranco Zola, the former Chelsea and Italy forward, is taking on a notable Ryder Cup role this week, serving as more than a spectator for Team Europe at Bethpage Black. On course, he has been spotted driving a buggy for Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald’s vice-captain, in a display that blends hospitality with a subtle leadership presence alongside Europe’s players.

Justin Rose, a Chelsea supporter who has become a close observer of Team Europe this week, described Zola as more than a novelty figure. He said the former Chelsea star could act as a fly on the wall, offering insights into pressure, momentum and locker-room mood, and then relay messages that could carry real influence if and when he identifies an opening. "I think with his energy, and what he can provide, he's here as a fly on the wall. If there's a moment that he observes and can chime in and can understand the pressure or can understand momentum or locker room mentality, then obviously he can relay a really powerful message. Hopefully he has that opportunity because I'd love to hear it." Rose added: "Obviously he’s a Chelsea legend. Clearly I'm a Chelsea fan. I didn't know he was coming this week, so it was a huge surprise. He was literally one of the first people I bumped into. I was coming around the corner in the hotel to the lifts and bumped into him. I meet a lot of really cool people in my life through the game of golf. But I was like, "Whoa! Wow! Hey, Gianfranco!" I was starstruck which is amazing."

Zola’s presence reflects a broader, non-playing role that can accompany a Ryder Cup squad, where veteran players and former teammates sometimes contribute guidance and perspective from the sidelines or the cart paths. His mobility around the course with Molinari has been a visible reminder of Europe’s willingness to blend football-soccer culture with golf leadership, capitalizing on his energy-filled persona to lift the team’s mood during a high-pressure event.

The arrangement comes as Team Europe looks to balance competitive drive with locker-room cohesion. Zola’s London years and his long-standing friendship with Molinari, which developed when their paths overlapped in the city, appear to have translated into a practical, on-site channel for morale rather than a coaching function. Rose’s reflection underscores the potential value of such a role: a trusted voice who can interpret the moment and, if appropriate, communicate it with the kind of respect and immediacy that resonates during a match.

Bethpage Black has hosted the Ryder Cup multiple times, and Europe’s staff roster has typically included a mix of players, former players, captains, and selectors. Zola’s involvement aligns with the tournament’s tradition of welcoming cross-disciplinary insights and personalities who can contribute to the team’s atmosphere, focus and confidence without dictating strategy. His exact duties remain informal by design, centering on observation, encouragement, and timely, unobtrusive input rather than technical instruction.

The optics of Zola’s role—driving Molinari around the course, sharing a familiar Eurostep with a high-profile football figure—illustrate how Ryder Cup teams can leverage diverse experiences to support performance. Rose’s account suggests that if a moment arises where Zola’s quick read of momentum or locker-room tempo can be shared, it could provide a tangible lift for players who are managing the psychological demands of match play.

As competition unfolds, Europe’s leadership will likely balance the novelty of Zola’s involvement with the steady, essential tasks of preparation, focus, and execution on the course. His presence, while not a substitute for coaching or tactical guidance, signals an intentional emphasis on morale and connection—elements that, in Ryder Cup history, have sometimes proven pivotal when paired with high-caliber skill and strategic depth.

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