After Chelsea’s decision to dismiss their manager Graham Potter, the club’s owner Todd Boehly is now on the lookout for his third appointment this season.
While former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann has been considered the frontrunner, Cristiano Ronaldo’s top pick for the Manchester United manager’s job may have a role in deciding the next Chelsea boss. Ronaldo has openly stated his support for former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, whom he favored over Zinedine Zidane for the United job when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021.
Given Boehly’s keen interest in Ronaldo, his preference for Enrique may have some influence on the Chelsea owner’s decision. During his time as the manager of Barcelona, Luis Enrique led the team to the treble in his first season, winning the title again the following year, and securing the Copa del Rey twice more before leaving the Nou Camp. After a year-long break from coaching, he took on the role of leading the Spanish national team. Enrique’s leadership helped La Roja reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020, but a disappointing exit in the Last 16 of the World Cup led to his resignation.
Despite this setback, it is likely that Enrique is still held in high regard by Cristiano Ronaldo. The football star’s admiration for Enrique could potentially influence Todd Boehly, who has been keen to sign Ronaldo for Chelsea. Boehly is known for making big moves in the transfer market, and signing Ronaldo would fit his reputation. Last summer, Boehly even met with Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, for talks about the transfer. Although nothing came of Chelsea’s interest then, it is likely that Boehly is still eager to sign Ronaldo, especially given the team’s struggles this season.
Currently, Ronaldo is playing for the Saudi Arabian side, Al-Nassr, after a controversial departure from Manchester United. While he is enjoying one of the most lucrative contracts in football history, his new team has slipped behind Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League title race. The poor quality of the league, combined with limited worldwide interest, could cause Ronaldo to seek a return to Europe. If this happens, Boehly could hold a trump card by appointing Enrique as the successor to the recently-sacked Graham Potter.