Hire my friend! — Hazard tips former Arsenal star to be next Chelsea manager

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard weighed in on the club's managerial situation in a recent interview, when he tipped his former teammate to become the next coach. 

The Blues are currently in the market for a new manager after mutually parting ways with Argentine tactician Mauricio Pochettino. They have been linked with a number of options, including Enzo Maresca, Roberto De Zerbi, and Kieran McKenna. 

Hazard, who played for Chelsea from 2012–2019, expressed sadness over the exit of Pochettino, as he believes that the former PSG and Arsenal manager did a good job at Chelsea.  

“I was a bit sad, to be fair. I think that he did a great job,” Hazard told TalkSport.

"I know that 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 and let’s see who is going to be there in the future.”

Asked about the names tipped to replace Pochettino, specifically De Zerbi, he replied, “Maybe” the Italian could be a success at Stamford Bridge, before cheekily throwing Cesc Fabregas’s name into the mix. 

“I also have my friend in Como; he can be the first manager,” Hazard said jokingly.

Fabregas, 37, played for Chelsea from 2014–2019. He retired from playing football in 2023 and is currently an assistant manager at Italian side Como, which recently gained promotion from Serial B to Serie A.