Chelsea news: Zinedine Zidane clear favourite to replace Maurizio Sarri as manager
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is the bookies' second favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge
Zinedine Zidane is now the clear favourite to take over at Chelsea after his odds were slashed following an out pour of bets on his appointment.
The Blues dropped down to sixth in the Premier League after a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday and they are reportedly ready to replace the under-pressure Maurizio Sarri after just eight months in charge.
Zidane, who won three successive Champions League titles while in charge of Real Madrid before leaving in May, has been the most backed for the job over the last 12 hours, attracting 64 per of all bets to become Sarri’s successor.
His odds have been cut from 14/1 yesterday, into as short as 13/8 clear favourite this morning, replacing former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, while another Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is the bookies’ second favourite for the job at 6/1, followed by Laurent Blanc at 9/1.
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: “Given that Zidane is unlikely to be without a job for long, this gamble suggests that Maurizio Sarri's time in west London could be coming to an end.
“He remains odds-on across the board to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post.”
Manchester United are also keen on securing the services of the 46-year-old France legend, but have been impressed with the way in which interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stepped up since taking over from Jose Mourinho.
Should Chelsea land Zidane, it would more than likely mean star man Eden Hazard remains at the club, given he idolises the World Cup winner and it would keep him from a mega-money to Real Madrid in the summer.
Meanwhile, claim Chelsea players are confused by Sarri’s team selection this season, and want N’Golo Kante to be moved back to his natural holding midfield position.
Kante is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, defensive midfielder on the planet, but has been moved to a more advanced position this term to make room for summer signing Jorginho.