Chelsea have begun their search for a permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior, with Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso all among the names being checked out by the club’s recruitment chiefs.
The Blues are in the early stages of identifying the right man after showing Rosenior the door. And several high profile candidates are already under consideration.
Iraola has confirmed he’ll leave Bournemouth at the end of the season. Silva hasn’t signed a new deal at Fulham yet. Alonso is currently out of work after getting the boot from Real Madrid.
All three could be available this summer. And Chelsea are ready to pounce.
CONTACT MADE WITH REPRESENTATIVES
The process is being led by Chelsea’s sporting directors, who will report their findings straight to the club’s owners. Co owner Behdad Eghbali was spotted at the FA Cup semi final win over Leeds watching closely, no doubt.
Contacts with representatives will be made to figure out the plans of Iraola, Silva, Alonso and others at this stage. Those conversations will help decide which managers get more serious consideration.
Interesting side note: Iraola and Alonso share the same representation. That could make things… tidy.
CHELSEA CHANGING TACK AFTER ROSENIOR SACKING
Chelsea are planning to change their recent strategy following Rosenior’s dismissal. No more gambles on unproven coaches. This time, they want top level experience.
Iraola and Silva have both managed in the Premier League and in top overseas leagues. Tick. Alonso has top level experience with Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. Tick.
There are believed to be other, so far unnamed, candidates in the mix too. Chelsea are ready to take their time over this appointment, with Calum McFarlane holding the fort as interim.
MCFARLANE STEADIES THE SHIP FOR NOW
McFarlane has done a decent job in difficult circumstances. He guided Chelsea to the FA Cup final and, after Sunday’s victory over Leeds, handed the players time off until Thursday.
Let’s be honest, they’ve earned it. It’s been a turbulent week. Lost to Brighton. Rosenior got sacked. Had to somehow prepare for a semi final.
The players got through it. Now they get a breather.
Chelsea don’t play again until next Monday, when they host relegation threatened Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Plenty of time for the sporting directors to work the phones.
WHO GETS THE NOD?
Iraola has done wonders at Bournemouth on a shoestring. Silva has turned Fulham into a proper top half side. Alonso won the lot at Leverkusen before Madrid came calling and then calling time.
Three very different profiles. Three very strong candidates.
But Chelsea have been burned before by rushing a decision. This time, they’re taking their time. The next few weeks will be telling. One thing’s for sure, Rosenior’s permanent replacement won’t be another experiment.