Premier League heavyweights Chelsea are already looking to replace their current manager Graham Potter, with Zinedine Zidane their preferred option. The former Real Madrid manager has currently taken a hiatus from the job, but is now looking to get back into the fold. Zidane is reportedly exploring the options coming his way and is slated to pick his next destination carefully.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are evidently growing impatient with Potter’s repeated failure, despite arming him with hefty signings. Although he managed to lead the club to a narrow 1-0 win over Crystal Palace recently at home, it came after losing three straight games in all competitions. Moreover, it was only their third win in last ten games in all competitions, which has raised serious doubts on Potter’s job.
Chelsea plan to entice Zinedine Zidane with high wages
Zinedine Zidane has emerged as Chelsea’s favourite to succeed Potter, who still has a long term contract to fulfill at the club, until the summer of 2027. The Blues had appointed the former Brighton manager only in September last year after sacking Thomas Tuchel. They had triggered his £20m release clause as well, making him the costliest acquisition amongst any manager.
Chelsea also handed him a five-year deal, as they looked to build a project for the present as well as the future, under new owners who were also aiming to establish their identity through this move. Potter was and is still being handed with a mixed signings of already proven players as well as some exciting youngsters. The club has spent over €400m on new signings under Potter’s regime, acquiring over a dozen players.
However, the results haven’t improved as evident from their mere three wins from last 11 games in all competitions. And to no surprise, Chelsea are ready to move from their gamble of appointing the rookie manager, with Zinedine Zidane their target now. The Frenchman has an impeccable record from his two different spells at Real Madrid as their manager.
In his first stint, Zidane led the Los Blancos to an unprecedented three Champions League titles in a row, becoming the first manager to achieve the feat. He also won two La Liga titles, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 2 Club World Cups and 2 Spanish Super Cups, to further cement his legacy with the club as one of their greatest managers. However, after waiting for the coveted job of the France National Team, which was eventually retained by Didier Deschamps, Zidane is now open to returning to the club fold.
And Chelsea are waiting in the wings, with the Blues even ready to make Zidane as the highest-paid manager in world football. The former Ballon d’Or winner, after missing out on the France job was approached by the Brazil and the USA to takeover their helms. However, he again rejected their offers, with insiders claiming that he wants to manage a club. Chelsea are known for offering terms which are too hot to resist, as was evident after they hijacked Arsenal’s deal for highly-rated winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, bringing him in for €100m.