Chelsea's hunt for a new manager to replace Enzo Maresca continues, but it appears former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane won't be under consideration. The Blues parted company Maresca on New Year's Day after days of mounting speculation surrounding the Italian's job.

Numerous names have been touted for the Chelsea manager's role in the past 24 hours, with Cesc Fabregas, John Terry and Roberto De Zerbi among those mentioned. However, it's been suggested that none of these three candidates are being seriously considered for the position.

Chelsea's Under-21 manager Calum McFarlane will oversee first-team responsibilities for Sunday's Premier League clash away at Manchester City, whilst the Stamford Bridge hierarchy press on with their pursuit of a permanent successor to Maresca. Strasbourgh manager Liam Rosenior is in their crosshairs.

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Whilst Zidane hasn't been heavily linked with the Chelsea vacancy this time, he has also occasionally been floated as a possible candidate to take charge at Manchester United at some point down the line. The France legend has been without a club since departing Real Madrid in 2021, during what was his second spell at the Bernabeu, and has regularly been linked with a return to the dugout.

Regarding the prospect of managing in the Premier League, Zidane appeared to dismiss the likelihood of relocating to England. “Would I want to go to Manchester? I understand English, but I’m not completely fluent in it,” Zidane revealed 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.” Ex-Hull City boss Rosenior is in talks to take over the reins at Chelsea, with the clubs sharing the same owners.

In his pre-match press conference on Friday, McFarlane previewed Chelsea's upcoming clash with Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. “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.”

Maresca left Chelsea with the club in fifth place in the Premier League and are three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the table in their quest for Champions League qualification.

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