Chelsea are in the process of outreach to several managerial candidates as they look for a replacement for Liam Rosenior, GMS understands.
Chelsea want to undertake a thorough process and are in no rush to make an appointment before the end of the season.
Calum McFarlane will take interim charge until then, including for the FA Cup Final against Manchester City on May 16.
GMS understands that outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, Fulham head coach Marco Silva and free agent Xabi Alonso are all contenders.
Chelsea Rule Out Hiring Xavi as Next Manager
Barcelona head coach Xavi looks on from the touchline
Sources say ex-Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has been ruled out. Those close to Xavi insist formative contact was made, but GMS has learned he is not currently on Chelsea's list of options. For Xavi's part, he is open to a Premier League role.
Iraola is yet to decide his next club and is currently focused on qualifying Bournemouth for Europe for the first time in their history. The Spaniard is keen on staying in England and also can't now become the next Athletic Club manager after Eden Terzic, another profile Chelsea appreciate, was confirmed as manager on a two-year contract.
Silva is yet to extend at Fulham despite the club trying to get him to sign a new three-year contract which remains on the table. Silva has also been linked with a switch to Nottingham Forest in recent months, but Vitor Pereira is now well positioned to not only stay on but potentially get fresh terms.
Alonso is a free agent since leaving Real Madrid. His difficult spell in Madrid hasn't put off clubs with his reputation from his time winning the Bundesliga with Leverkusen still making him an in-demand coach. As it stands, Liverpool want to back Arne Slot meaning there is no guarantee of Alonso returning to Anfield this summer.
Chelsea Appreciate Two Former Players
Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea also appreciate former Flamengo manager and Blues defender Filipe Luis, and Como's Cesc Fabregas, yet it remains to be seen whether either are viewed as experienced enough for the role at Stamford Bridge, especially off the back of Rosenior not succeeding.
Chelsea are currently more inclined to go for a coach for a more experienced CV, and even if they wanted Fabregas he remains committed to Como.
Prior to Mauricio Pochettino's appointment, PSG boss Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann both had interviews. Enrique is not a candidate as he's not available on the market and is expected to sign a new four-year contract at PSG either this month or in the early part of the summer.
Chelsea sources had said Nagelsmann wanted to be appointed quickly and not go through their extensive process which in part put them off proceeding, while those close to the Germany coach insisted he withdraw from the running after failing to be sold on the project. That makes any approach for Nagelsmann difficult, and he is contracted with Germany beyond the 2026 World Cup.
Chelsea Return for Mourinho Downplayed
benfica jose mourinho
Jose Mourinho has also been linked with a move back to Chelsea, but the so-called 'Special One' returning has always to date been downplayed by Chelsea insiders during previous processes.
Mourinho is currently a more serious candidate to return to Real Madrid than Chelsea, and the favoured choice of Real president Florentino Perez. Yet it still remains to be seen whether the move materialises as Mourinho returning to Madrid doesn't carry universal support within the club.
Chelsea are now expected to whittle down several candidates to a handful of names before beginning formal interviews.