Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola could make Chelsea fans fall in love with the club again as the Blues search for their next manager
Daniel Orme Trends Writer
11:39, 05 May 2026
Jamie Carragher has named the ideal Chelsea manager
Jamie Carragher has named the ideal Chelsea manager(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has suggested that bringing in Andoni Iraola could help Chelsea supporters reconnect with their side.
The Premier League club has struggled through a dismal season, with managerial upheaval proving a significant factor in its troubles. Enzo Maresca departed in January, making way for Liam Rosenior. However, the 41-year-old's tenure at Stamford Bridge barely exceeded three months, recording 10 defeats across 23 matches.
Calum McFarlane has stepped in temporarily until the season's conclusion while Chelsea weighs up its options. Following Monday's loss to Nottingham Forest, Carragher offered his assessment of potential candidates. He commented: "I think you probably rule out the bottom three [Jose Mourinho, Frank Lampard and Antonio Conte].
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"They've all managed Chelsea before, so I don't see that. I also don't see Glasner, because of the back three.
"We've had this conversation before. I don't see Xabi Alonso there, because of his link as a Liverpool player and Chelsea being a big rival at the time. I might be wrong on that, but I think if he was coming to the Premier League, it would be Liverpool.
"Fabregas does look like right now one of the new hot things in football doing really well. Filipe Luis is doing really well, obviously had a spell at Chelsea as a player."
Andoni Iraola is leaving Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola is leaving Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
The former Liverpool defender then argued that departing Bournemouth manager Iraola would be a perfect choice, though he acknowledges one significant obstacle.
He continued: "When you see someone like Iraola, I don't think you could ever fall out of love with his team if you were a supporter. You understand what I mean?
"They always run. There's always that running element. They will lose games. They will maybe pick up injuries because of the style of play.
"I would probably like to see it in a bigger job and how he adapts. It would be a lot more difficult with more games and probably would be a bit more injuries, a bit like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool when Liverpool picked up injuries.
"I almost feel like Chelsea supporters need to fall back in love with the club again.
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"Right now, I don't feel like there's any real feeling, there's a real dislike for the people running the club, but the people playing for the club as well."
Speculation surrounding Iraola's future continues to intensify as his departure from the Vitality Stadium looms.
Premier League side Manchester United is among those reportedly weighing up a move for the Spanish coach, while Athletic Bilbao remains persistently linked.