Emmanuel Petit explains why Zidane won’t be Chelsea boss

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By Martin Graham | 4th Mar 2023

Emmanuel Petit has explained his thoughts on why Zinedine Zidane will not replace Graham Potter as Chelsea boss.

Zidane is reportedly among the names ‘in the running’ to be named the next Chelsea boss, according to media outlets in Spain.

Chelsea’s current boss Potter only arrived in September, but the jury remains out on him to deliver, amid the Blues’ horrific run of results.

The west London club – who have spent over £600m on players since the summer – have won just one game across their last 11 fixtures in all competitions.

Chelsea are currently 10th in the Premier League table and a staggering 14 points behind the top four following their 2-0 defeat to rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

Reports continue to claim that Chelsea’s hierarchy retain full backing for Potter but they are now starting to have doubts, which has seen a number of names linked to the role.

One of those names is Zidane, who has been without a job since he left Real Madrid in 2021.

Several names have been linked with the Chelsea manager role, with Graham Potter walking the tightrope after a woeful run of results for the Blues this year. Zidane is one of those names to be potentially linked with a role but Emmmanuel Petit does not see such an agreement happening.

Petit explains why Zidane won’t be Chelsea boss

Petit believes Zidane is not a realistic target for the Blues, as he said to RMC Sport: ‘I might be wrong, but I don’t believe it for one second, for various reasons.

“You spoke about it when you introduced the topic: Zizou doesn’t speak English, and while he might be learning it, knowing his style of management and how he works with players, he likes being close, and you need communication for that.”

“I’ve had feedback from fans who have said that they don’t want Zinedine Zidane because he’s never declared his flame to the Premier League and he’s openly said that he much prefers a technical game, which I can completely understand when you look at the manager he is and player he was.”

“The one argument I agree with is that he needs a job after being two years without one, and he might be Boehly’s choice, but Boehly, pardon me, he knows nothing about football.”

“If he’s just flashing on the bling bling of the name, then there’s plenty of other managers out there who don’t have a job and know the Premier League better.”

Chelsea’s Premier League game against Leeds on Saturday will tell a better story and could be the final nail in the coffin for Potter, if he gets another unfavourable result.