Zinedine Zidane has already revealed why he won't replace Enzo Maresca as Chelsea manager

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Chelsea are looking for their next manager following Enzo Maresca's departure on New Year's Day

Chelsea’s search for a new manager to replace Enzo Maresca remains ongoing, but it’s not likely to include considering former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. The Blues parted ways with Maresca on New Year’s Day following days of intense speculation about the Italian’s future.

A host of names have already been linked with taking the Chelsea manager’s job over the last 24 hours, including Cesc Fabregas, John Terry and Roberto De Zerbi.

It’s understood, though, that all three of the aforementioned candidates are not in the frame to be the next Chelsea manager.

Chelsea’s Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane will take charge of first-team duties for the Blues on Sunday for their Premier League away trip to Manchester City, while the Stamford Bridge hierarchy continue their search for a long-term replacement for Maresca.

Zidane has not been directly linked with the Chelsea job but has occasionally been mentioned as a potential candidate to manage Manchester United one day in the future.

The France legend has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, in what was his second stint at the club, and has since been frequently linked with a return to management.

When it came to the possibility of managing in the Premier League, specifically at Man United, Zidane seemingly ruled out the chance of a move to England.

“Would I want to go to Manchester? I understand English, but I’m not completely fluent in it,” Zidane said in an interview with L’Equipe in 2024.

“I know that there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work in a different way.”

Strasbourg boss and former Hull City manager Liam Rosenior remains the early favourite to be Chelsea’s next manager, although there is still no sign of an appointment being made.

McFarlane, who held a pre-match press conference on Friday, explained how he and Chelsea are relishing the opportunity to face Man City and Pep Guardiola this weekend.

“Ultimately, it's a football match,” McFarlane said. “It's not really about me or my first game or playing against Pep. It's about Chelsea versus City. Two top sides.

“We'll go there and compete. We've seen this year how this team can do in big moments. We're really looking forward to that challenge.”