Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola knows he needs to win over fans in his new job as Watford manager.

The decision to appoint Zola in place of Sean Dyche has disappointed some fans, having seen the former Watford defender help the club to a respectable 11th-placed finish in his only season at the helm.

"Of course I have to [mend some bridges]," the former West Ham manager said. "I know that the person who was here before me has done very well and to him goes my respect and my admiration.

"He has done a very good job so for me the task will be difficult, but it has always been like that for me. It has always been a challenge since I started playing football.

"I was half of the size of the others and they said I wouldn't stand a chance to become a footballer.

"I took that challenge and now I have another difficult challenge.

"I told the players I will give everything I have got inside to make them a little bit better and then we will see how the results (go).

"It is interesting. It is a challenge and I take it."