Hazard wants Chelsea LEGEND to replace Pochettino

Cameron Smith

• 27 May 2024 11:10 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has admitted that he would like Cesc Fabregas to be appointed as the Blues’ next manager following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.

The Argentine left the Stamford Bridge outfit by mutual consent on 21 May following a post-season review conducted by Behdad Eghbali.

Chelsea are now hunting for a suitable replacement and have seemingly narrowed their search down to three names following reports that Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim are no longer contenders.

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Enzo Maresca (Leicester City), Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Roberto De Zerbi (Unattached) are currently the three candidates to take over at Stamford Bridge, but Hazard is eager for his former side to consider a move for Fabregas.

The legendary Spain midfielder spent five years as a player at Chelsea, winning four major trophies, and he helped guide Italian side Como to promotion from Serie B last season as their assistant manager.

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What did Eden Hazard say?

Hazard, who retired from football last year following his Real Madrid exit, was asked about his thoughts on Pochettino’s Chelsea by TalkSPORT. “I was a bit sad to be fair. I think he did a great job,” the ex-Belgium international said.

“I know people want Chelsea to be in the top four but it’s just a season of transition. He’s a great manager, I wish him good luck. Let’s see who’s going to be there in the future.”

When asked if he would like De Zerbi to take over, Hazard replied: “Maybe. I also have my friend in Como [Fabregas]. He can be the first manager [winks].”

Fabregas was Osian Roberts’ assistant manager at Como last season as they achieved a historic promotion to Serie A. The Spaniard will become their head coach next season, however, with Roberts transitioning into a head of development role.

Fabregas spent one month as Como’s interim head coach in late 2023, but he was handed a special dispensation to fill this position due to his lack of a UEFA Pro coaching licence.

The ex-Chelsea has now obtained the necessary UEFA coaching badges and will lead Como in their first Serie A campaign in 22 years.