The manager merry-go-round is fully underway with Chelsea boasting six managers on their shortlist ahead of appointing their next permanent manager – but Fulham are lurking.
For a while now, Xabi Alonso has been the leading candidate expected to take the Chelsea job. Liverpool have decided to keep Arne Slot in the dugout, and that has allowed Chelsea to open talks for Alonso.
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Andoni Iraola remains a key target for the Blues, while Fulham manager Marco Silva has been linked with the Blues. Kaveh Solhekol says Chelsea have a shortlist of five or six managers with a deadline now set.
The Blues want a new manager in place by the middle of next month, with Oliver Glasner, Filipe Luis and Cesc Fabregas the other names on Chelsea’s list. But Silva might not end up at Chelsea in the summer.
Two managers could be removed from Chelsea’s list by Fulham
Silva is expected to leave Fulham this summer, even if Fulham would rather he stayed put. His contract at Craven Cottage is close to expiring, and Chelsea are in the mix, but he is not the front-runner for the job.
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Silva has plenty of interest. Benfica want him to replace Jose Mourinho, while Nottingham Forest could make a surprise move ahead of a possible reunion with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis this summer.
With Silva leaving and the chances are it won’t be Chelsea, Fulham have now identified a replacement. ESPN say they want former Chelsea defender Luis to replace Silva, after Luis’s exit from Flamengo.
Luis wants a job in Europe having impressed during his stint at Flamengo, with the belief being that he was harshly sacked as Flamengo manager. Reports now claim Fulham will pursue him if Silva does go.
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Interestingly, super agent Jorge Mendes will be heavily involved. He could be directly involved with Fulham, Benfica and three managers already mentioned. He represents Silva, Mourinho and Luis.
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So, the well-renowned representative could have a big say on who goes where. Mourinho looks set to return to Madrid after an unbeaten league season at Benfica, which came under threat on the weekend.
Silva could well return to Benfica if he doesn’t get the Chelsea job, with Alonso and Iraola certainly ahead of the Fulham boss in Chelsea’s thinking. A return to West London, albeit with Fulham, may appeal to Luis.
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