“I have received texts since Graham Potter’s sacking” – Frank Leboeuf claims 3 top managers could snub Chelsea as he names ‘B list’ option as favorite
Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf has said that Zinedine Zidane, Diego Simeone and Luis Enrique will likely turn down replacing Graham Potter due to a possible lack of UEFA Champions League football.
Potter was sacked by the Blues on Sunday (April 2) with the board finally growing impatient with the side's dismal form. They sit 11th in the league, and a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa was their tenth defeat of the Premier League season.
Chelsea's chances of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League are in tatters. They trail fourth-placed Manchester United by 12 points. Leboeuf thinks that not playing in Europe's elite club competition may lead to high-profile managers snubbing a move to Stamford Bridge.
He told ESPN that he wants legendary former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane:
“I will go for Zidane. I know that that’s what you want me to say. I have received texts since we talked about Potter’s sacking, ‘call your friend, Zidane. … ask him to come."
The Frenchman then touched on the potential lack of Champions League football at Chelsea next season. He has doubts that Zidane would want to take over a club not competing in the tournament:
“The thing is Chelsea are not going to qualify for the Champions League (next season).I doubt that Zidane would go to a club that would only challenge for the Premier League and not the Champions League."
Leboeuf suggested that Atletico Madrid boss Simeone and former Spain and Barcelona manager Enrique could also be dissuaded because of the same reason. He also reckons frontrunner, Julian Nagelsmann, is a B-list option:
“(This may also apply to) Diego Simeone and Luis Enrique. Then you’d have to go to, sorry, B list. So, Nagelsmann, maybe?”
Nagelsmann has been positioned as the favourite after being sacked by Bayern Munich last month. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that talks are ongoing regarding the managerial vacancy at Stamford Bridge, and the German coach is the frontrunner.
Chelsea interim coach Bruno Saltor discusses Potter's departure
Potter's former assistant Bruno Saltor has been placed in temporary charge of Chelsea as they search for a permanent successor.
The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder is tasked with galvanising the Blues for the remaining ten games of the league season. He will also lead the West Londoners into battle against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Saltor took the time to reflect on Potter and his assistant Billy Reid's exit from the club. He said (via Absolute Chelsea):
“It’s a sad day, sad day for the staff because Graham and Billy are two top coaches, top people, top human beings. I have to be the most professional as I can, try to help and guide the players to prepare the game as best as we can.”
Next up for the Blues is a home clash with Liverpool on Tuesday (April 4). It will be intriguing to see how they fare under Saltor following Potter's exit.