Yahoo News Enzo Maresca suffers Chelsea snub as wild card option put forward to replace Mauricio Pochettino
Eden Hazard has named his preference for the vacant Chelsea manager job - and it is not Leicester City's Enzo Maresca.
The Foxes await their Premier League rivals' decision regarding a new leading man as it could have huge repercussions on pre-season heading back into the English top-flight. Having been named on an extensive list of candidates from across the continent, fresh reports heading into the new week claim that Maresca is one of two favourites alongside ex-Brighton man Roberto De Zerbi.
On the one hand it is believed Maresca has impressed the Blues technical staff - those that have piloted the search - with his style of football used to help Leicester to the Championship title and promotion. On the other, De Zerbi - who qualified Brighton for European competition during his first season in England - has a personality lauded by the club's ownership.
READ MORE: Kasper Schmeichel 'still hurt' by two Leicester City matches
READ MORE: Wayne Rooney in frank Manchester United admission over former Leicester City defender
How this internal tussle will end, nobody knows yet, but if it were up to one former Chelsea man he would disregard both options entirely. In what would be a welcome outcome for City, now-retired winger Hazard has thrown an entirely new suggestion into the ring, albeit at this late stage.
"I was a bit sad to be fair, I thought he did a great job," said the Belgian when asked by talkSPORT of Mauricio Pochettino's dismissal that caused current events. "I know people want Chelsea to be in the top four but it is just a season of transition. He's a great manager, I wish him good luck. Let's see who is going to be there in the future."
The reporter followed up by querying: "Who would you like it to be, Roberto De Zerbi?"
"Maybe. I have my friend also in Como," Hazard replied with a wink to the camera. "He can be the first manager."
Of course this is a not-so subtle reference to ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who himself has forged a bright managerial career in such a short timeframe. After sharing a dressing room with Hazard for five seasons, the 37-year-old just secured promotion to Serie A as caretaker assistant coach of Como 1907.
The only reason he was unable to be head coach was because he did not possess his UEFA Pro License, so the Italian outfit brought Welshman Osian Roberts on board as the main man while Fabregas acted as second in command in a joint effort.
While Hazard's shout may not actually disrupt the flow of Chelsea's current process, suggesting someone else ahead of Maresca could prove to be his second-greatest assist for Leicester - trailing only that night against Tottenham Hotspur in 2016, of course.
