Chelsea is considering Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Xabi Alonso as potential replacements for their current manager, with the club seeking a candidate with Premier League experience or a proven track record at a high level. Unlike their previous appointment, when Enzo Maresca and Kieran McKenna were the top candidates despite lacking Premier League experience, Chelsea now aims for a more seasoned manager. Iraola has announced his departure from Bournemouth, Alonso is currently out of work, and Silva's contract with Fulham expires in two months.
The club is not rushing to make an appointment, with Calum McFarlane remaining in charge until the end of the season. Paul Merson, a Chelsea fan, believes the club's approach to hiring managers has changed, and they will likely attract a manager who is grateful for the opportunity rather than a top-tier manager.
Merson thinks the days of Chelsea appointing big-name managers like Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti are over, and instead, they may consider managers like Eddie Howe, who is currently under pressure at Newcastle.