Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The people said: "O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint a caliph over us?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If I appoint a caliph over you and you disobey my caliph, punishment will descend upon you." The people said: "Shall we not make Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) caliph?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you make him caliph, you will find him physically weak but strong in the matter of Allah." The people said: "Shall we not make Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) caliph?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you make him caliph, you will find him physically strong and strong in the matter of Allah as well." The people said: "Shall we not make Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) caliph?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you make him caliph, though you will not do so, he will lead you on the straight path, and you will find him a guide and rightly guided."
Imam Bazzar recorded it. Its chain contains Abu al-Yaqzan Uthman bin Umayr, who is da'if (weak).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب الخلافة / 8910