New Chelsea coach Morris dodges charity match to avoid awkward Zola reunion as ex-Blues No2 is demoted under Lampard regime

NEW Chelsea assistant Jody Morris swerved an awkward meeting with Gianfranco Zola in Sunday’s charity match against Real Madrid.

Morris, 40, who will return to Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard’s No 2, was due to travel to Madrid to play alongside several Blues legends.

But he dodged it after Zola, who was assistant to Maurizio Sarri, was told he would be demoted as part of the new regime.

Chelsea’s legends side were beaten in Madrid 5-4 with assistant coach Carlo Cudicini and goalkeeping trainer Henrique Hilario playing.

Zola, 52, is still idolised at Chelsea after being named their greatest-ever player in a fans’ poll.

But he will have to take a restricted role when his old team-mate Lamps, 41, succeeds Sarri.

The Italian was appointed assistant first-team coach to Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge last season when the ex-Napoli boss took charge in West London.

But with Sarri departing for Serie A champions Juventus, the future of Zola remains unclear.

Zola has reportedly snubbed the chance to become a Chelsea ambassador as he is keen on continuing his coaching career.