Key Takeaways
- Chelsea FC are considering Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso as potential new managers
- The club wants candidates with Premier League experience or a strong history of winning major trophies
- Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes top-class managers will reject the job due to the club’s current problems
Chelsea Football Club are searching for a new manager. The Premier League side plan to replace Liam Rosenior. Three bosses sit at the top of their list.
Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso are all targets. The Blues want a coach with experience in England’s top division. They will also accept someone with a strong record of winning major prizes.
This plan differs from last summer. In June 2024, Chelsea gave the job to Enzo Maresca. At that time, neither Maresca nor rival candidate Kieran McKenna had managed in the Premier League.
The current market suits the west London side. Iraola has said he will leave Bournemouth at the season’s end. Alonso is currently without a team. Silva’s deal at Fulham runs out in two months.
Chelsea will not rush their choice. Calum McFarlane will stay as temporary boss until May.
However, television expert Paul Merson has warned the club. The former Arsenal and England midfielder doubts that top managers will accept the role.
Merson supports Chelsea. He told Sky Sports News: “I would welcome Eddie Howe from Newcastle. But I fear Chelsea will only attract coaches who feel thankful for the job. The era of special bosses like Mourinho, Conte, Tuchel and Ancelotti has finished.”
He added: “Elite coaches look at this Chelsea side with worry. The players are young but they run less than opponents every week. The team needs new faces. It is a massive task. I do not believe a world-class manager will take it.”