Former Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane has been out of work since the 2021 summer. Since then, he has been linked to several job opportunities including at Man United last season.
The legendary coach has frequently spoken of his desire to management after two successful stints at the helm of Los Blancos.
Speaking earlier this year, Zidane explained in a typically coy interview over his future. He said, “am I still able to contribute things as a coach? Yes, many things. Or I think at least some!”.
“I want to continue with that career because I still have the desire. It is my passions. I am 50 years old, fulfilled, I’m happy. That’s the most important thing”.
The current Chelsea coach, Graham Potter, replaced Thomas Tuchel in September. However, he’s now under pressure. His side has socred only six goals over their last 16 matches. Moreover, the side is languishing in 10th place in the Premier League standings despite record levels of spendings in the past two transfer windows.
Yet, despite being linked to a potential move, Petit, former Chelsea and a central midfield partner of Zidane for France dismissed the possibility of the former Madrid boss moving to Stamford Bridge.
He said, “I amy be wrong. But I don’t believe for a second in the rumour of Zizou going to Chelsea.”
“Zidane’s future doesn’t lie in England, it lies elsewhere. Zidane has openly said that he preferred a more polished and technical game. He does not speak English, even if I believe that he takes lessons. But a dressing room today is populated by several nationalities.
“Knowing his way of managing a locker room, he likes proximity, being interested in people before the player. And so you have to be able to communicate and speak the language. In England, many coaches have been mocked in press conferences because they don’t didn’t speak the language, like in France too. After a while, that creates a gap in understanding.”
Petit added, “Why refuse Chelsea? Because if you look at the problem today, it’s that Potter has to manage more than 30 players at training in what is like a summer camp”.
“Chelsea had the means, but today Financial Fair Play is considering changing its rules because of them, so we can believe that the club will not be able to continue at this rate of transfers. [Qualifying for] The Champions League will be necessary for them otherwise they will no longer be inside Financial Fair Play. So they will be condemned since they are 10th in the Premier League and they will not win the Champions League this year.”
Petit then concluded his assessment with a condemnation of Blues owner Todd Boehly. He said: “It’s Boehly’s choice, but he doesn’t understand anything about football. If he only wants bling-bling as he has done for six months, there are other coaches who know the Premier League much better.”