Chelsea owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly are looking for yet another manager after sacking Liam Rosenior, with Andoni Iraola being a firm favourite for the job.
Iraola will be available this summer after deciding to leave Bournemouth, who have already appointed his replacement, Marco Rose.
Chelsea are considering other managerial names, but Iraola appears to be one of the leading candidates for the role in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
Behdad Eghbali of Chelsea FC
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Chelsea and Behdad Eghbali fans of Andoni Iraola’s style
According to Sky Sport CH, Eghbali and the other bosses at Chelsea are appreciative of Iraola’s “modern style of play” and are thinking about hiring him because of it and his work at Bournemouth.
The reliable Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that Iraola has already rejected one club outside of England, with the Spaniard preferring to remain in England.
Andoni Iraola hasn’t beaten Clearlake’s Chelsea 🚩
Andoni Iraola's record vs Chelsea
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
That is good news for Chelsea, though they face competition from Crystal Palace for his signature.
Palace are also looking for a new manager after agreeing to part ways with Oliver Glasner after the Conference League final.
However, you would assume that Iraola would pick Chelsea over their London rivals, even after an extremely disappointing campaign. At Chelsea, he will have a better group of players and more money to work with.
What formation have Bournemouth been playing under Andoni Iraola?
Iraola could be a good fit for Chelsea. This season, he has used a 4-2-3-1 formation at Bournemouth, which is also what the Blues have been using.
Chelsea have the players for that system, with Cole Palmer being one of the best No.10s in the Premier League, even if his form has not been great lately.
As mentioned, Iraola’s style is quite modern. Bournemouth like to play and then press when they are out of possession, and you would expect Chelsea to do the same under Iraola.
He has not won any major trophies and does not have experience coaching a dressing room full of big players, though. That will be a concern if you are a Chelsea fan.
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