Chelsea would love to appoint a 'wildcard' new manager to replace Liam Rosenior, but the tactician is actually more keen on joining Liverpool.
Chelsea begin process to hire next manager after Liam Rosenior sacking
Rosenior's sacking on Wednesday evening brought an end to a short and uninspired reign that lasted less than four months.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior
The 41-year-old signed a six-year contract in January and leaves having won just 11 of 23 games, with the final weeks producing some of the most alarming football seen at the club in decades.
Five straight Premier League defeats without a goal, a dressing room that had visibly downed tools, and a Champions League spot that had long since become further out of reach.
Calum McFarlane steps in as interim manager for the remainder of the season, buying the club time to conduct a thorough search.
Several names have surfaced since the news broke.
Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola remains the most widely reported option, with RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins indicating Chelsea have already made an initial approach to the Spaniard as one of their leading candidates.
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Edin Terzić, who has been without a club since leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2024, is also on the radar, as is Porto's Francesco Farioli, Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, ex-midfielder Cesc Fàbregas and a few other intriguing faces.
BBC Sport have reported that the eventual shortlist could contain between five and 10 names, with Fulham manager Marco Silva among those under consideration.
His contract at Craven Cottage expires this summer and his representation by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who maintains close ties with the Chelsea board, could smooth any potential approach.
Fulham manager Marco Silva reacts
The consensus is that the west Londoners will bide their time until the summer, as BlueCo look to be rigorous in their search for the right man.
One name that will capture the imagination, but is unlikely to materialise, is Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea would love to appoint Xabi Alonso, but he's waiting for Liverpool
The 44-year-old has been available since departing Real Madrid earlier this year following a difficult spell, in which he is believed to have lost the dressing room during his time at the Bernabeu.
Xabi Alonso record at Real Madrid (timeless)
His stock remains high after a brilliant tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, where he delivered the Bundesliga title and an unprecedented domestic campaign unbeaten, and his name has inevitably been attached to almost every major vacancy in European football.
Chelsea's interest is real but tinged with realism.
According to Simon Phillips of SPTC, the club 'would love' to appoint Alonso, but view him as a complete 'wildcard', given the belief that the former Spain midfielder is holding out for the Liverpool job.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso before the match
Whether or not that opportunity materialises is far from straightforward.
David Ornstein has stated that Alonso is not currently on Liverpool's agenda, with FSG expected to persist with Arne Slot provided the Dutchman secures Champions League qualification.
Sky Sports have since reported that Slot's position is stabilising as Liverpool's top-five finish looks increasingly likely. If he stays, the Anfield door remains shut for Alonso.
For Chelsea, that leaves the search open.
A club of their resources and ambition should be an attractive proposition for any manager, but their reputation for instability and a notoriously complex ownership structure may complicate recruitment.
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