Chelsea have been continually scouring the market for a new manager, but Andre Villas-Boas looks set to throw a spanner in the works for BlueCo, ending any chance of hiring one name on the list.
As things stand, there are three names at the top of Chelsea’s list. Xabi Alonso, Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola continue to be the three most linked with taking over at Stamford Bridge from Calum McFarlane.
Xabi Alonso is the BEST candidate for the Chelsea job 👌
Xabi Alonso rumour graphic
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But plenty of others have been touted with the Chelsea job. Oliver Glasner and Niko Kovac are on the Chelsea list too, while there are even rumours of a possible return for Napoli manager Antonio Conte.
Another manager linked with Chelsea is Porto boss Francesco Farioli. Having missed out on the Eredivisie title with Ajax on goal difference last season, Farioli guided his Porto side to the league title on Saturday.
Chelsea’s approach for Farioli rejected by Villas-Boas
There were doubts when Porto president and former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas hired Farioli as Porto manager last summer. But those doubts have vanished after winning 27 of Porto’s 32 league games.
A stunning league title, made even more impressive given Jose Mourinho’s Benfica have gone the entire season without defeat. Last month, reports said Chelsea were still pushing hard to bring Farioli to London.
But Porto fans are desperate for him to stay. Amid the celebrations of a league title, a young fan told Farioli to stay because London “is cold”. According to Nicolo Schira, Chelsea have made an approach.
FC Porto V CD Tondela - Primeira Liga
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But Schira also reports that Porto have rejected the approach from Chelsea and another Premier League club. Villas-Boas, as club president, is keen to keep Farioli in the dugout beyond the end of the season.
“Francesco Farioli is ready to continue his story with Porto, despite some important approaches received from Chelsea and another Premier League club. Villas-Boas considers him a key factor for Porto’s Project.”
What Andre Villas-Boas said about Farioli after the league title
Villas-Boas’ decision to hire Farioli has been vindicated. After indifferent spells in Turkey and France, and then his heartbreak as Ajax manager, Farioli was in tears as he guided Porto to the Liga NOS title.
DISCUSS: Farioli’s winning mentality is exactly what Chelsea need.
Three wins every four games is remarkable.
The former Chelsea boss is a big fan of Farioli. Following the league title, Villas-Boas described Farioli as “revolutionary” and heaped praise on the tactical element of the Chelsea-linked boss for the triumph.
“He deserved to have been successful at Ajax. But if he had been, then he certainly would not be at FC Porto. I became aware of Farioli more through his work in France,” Porto’s president summarised.
“That was when he finally established himself as a coach, as someone revolutionary in his ideas, in his method, and in the way he asserted his leadership,” Villas-Boas continued, ahead of Porto’s title win.
Chelsea hoped they might be able to lure Farioli away from Portugal but Villas-Boas has not given the Italian gaffer a chance to make a decision. He will be remaining at Porto, where he has a deal until 2028.
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