Following the news that Chelsea had parted ways with Thomas Tuchel, a quick list of names that could replace him appeared in the media.
Graham Potter was immediately touted as the favourite, with Brighton reportedly giving him the opportunity to talk to the Blues, while free agents Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane were also said to be on the list of managers that Todd Boehly would like to have a chat with.
While the Argentine has a proven track record in the Premier League, the Frenchman doesn’t, but his success in the Champions League with Real Madrid makes him an immediate attraction for any ambitious owner.
However, regardless of the money on offer or whether he would be the right fit, the chances of seeing Zidane on the Chelsea bench seem rather slim, as he has made it clear in the past he isn’t overly attracted to the idea of managing in England.
After his name had been linked to Manchester United, L’Equipe sat down with the France legend in June and asked him about it.
He said, recalled by the same newspaper on Wednesday: “Certain conditions make things more difficult. When I’m asked: ‘Do you want to go to Manchester?’ I understand English, but I don’t totally master it. I know there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but me, I work differently.”
Not only that, but L’Equipe do point out that ‘his family and professional life are in Madrid’, as his eldest son Enzo plays for Fuenlabrada, while Théo and Elyaz are currently at Real Madrid.
This means he would have to turn his world upside down to manage Chelsea, which he has seemed reluctant to do in the past.
Furthermore, if he hasn’t taken any English classes since June, it seems unlikely that he will be overly thrilled at the idea of moving to London.
