Chelsea earmark two UCL-winning managers as pressure on Graham Potter intensifies

Zinedine Zidane and Luis Enrique emerge as favourites to succeed Graham Potter at Chelsea

Graham Potter may have the backing of the Chelsea board, but it seems that his time at the club is running out as the club is currently considering alternatives should the Englishman be moved on.

The Blues are looking to the mainland and have identified UEFA Champions League winning managers Luis Enrique and Zinedine Zidane as the front-runners to replace Potter, according to Sport (h/t Football.London).

Their upcoming games against Leeds and Borussia Dortmund are thought to be critical for the former Brighton manager, who has won just nine of his 26 games in charge.

Unless he can turn around the results quickly, Potter could find himself in deep water regarding his stint at Stamford Bridge. It would not be the way he will want his first big job to go.

Since quitting his position as Spain’s manager following their World Cup last-16 loss to Morocco at the conclusion of last year, Enrique has been without a job. The 52-year-old had previously led Barcelona to two Spanish championships, the Champions League, and three Copa del Reys.

After leaving his position as Real Madrid’s head coach for a second time in May 2021, Zidane is still pondering his future step. Three Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns were won by the great former France star during his two stints as manager of Los Blancos.

Both managers have had success, as evidenced by the titles they have won. Zidane, though, has enjoyed more success at Real Madrid in recent years, which might be important for Chelsea because the former Juventus player is a brilliant manager with the ability to make things right quickly.

But as Zidane have demonstrated, he doesn’t remain at a club for longer than three years. Thus Chelsea needs a manager who can commit to a position for at least five years, an essential time period for a side that is rebuilding.

Enrique is a different candidate who might fit in well and provide results quickly because, during his first tenure as Barcelona’s manager, he won the Champions League.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea could hire Brentford boss Thomas Frank if Graham Potter is sacked
• Inter Milan chief confirms Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea in the summer
• Mario Melchiot has urged Chelsea to sack Graham Potter if they want to see better results

But things were different since Barcelona were home to players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar. However, for now, it remains to be seen, as Potter is still at the helm, and his next two games could determine his future.