Chelsea are currently weighing up a trio of potential candidates—Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso—as they search for a successor to Liam Rosenior ahead of the upcoming summer window. The club believes that, unlike the previous managerial appointment cycle, there will be a considerably larger selection of high‑quality coaches available this time around.
When Enzo Maresca was appointed in June 2024, the shortlist also included Kieran McKenna, and neither of those two had any prior experience in the Premier League. This summer, however, Chelsea appear to be shifting their priorities. The Blues are now keen on securing a manager who either possesses direct Premier League experience or has demonstrated a proven record of success at a top‑flight level. All three names on the current list fit different parts of that brief.
Andoni Iraola has confirmed that he will depart Bournemouth at the end of the season, freeing him up for a new challenge. Xabi Alonso is presently unattached after his recent spell ended, while Marco Silva’s contract with Fulham is set to expire in roughly two months, meaning he will also be on the market. Despite the buzz surrounding these possibilities, Chelsea are not in a hurry to make a final decision.
Calum McFarlane will continue to oversee the team until the season concludes, giving the hierarchy ample time to evaluate each candidate thoroughly. Former player and pundit Paul Merson, a lifelong Chelsea supporter, has expressed skepticism that the club will land a "top‑drawer" manager in the traditional sense. He suggests that the new head coach will likely be someone who feels grateful for the opportunity to work at Chelsea, rather than a high‑profile figure who chooses the club because of its stature.
Merson told Sky Sports News that he hears rumors about Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe facing pressure at his current club, and that Howe would be an intriguing option for Chelsea. However, Merson emphasized that the prevailing sentiment at the Blues is that any incoming manager will be grateful for the job, given the way the club is currently run. He reflected on past eras when Chelsea attracted world‑renowned coaches such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, Thomas Tuchel and others, noting that those days appear to be behind them.
Regarding Iraola, Merson praised the Spaniard’s work at Bournemouth, describing him as a "very good manager" who could be tempted by the Chelsea role. He warned, though, that the club’s recent performance raises concerns: Chelsea have been out‑scored in every Premier League match this season despite fielding one of the youngest squads in the division. Merson argued that this pattern signals a significant problem that a top‑class manager would need to address. He also highlighted squad issues, stating that the team requires a handful of seasoned professionals to balance the youthful core, and that a few current players may no longer fit the club’s long‑term plans.
"They need a couple of experienced players. There are a few players who shouldn't be there.
They need players in," he said. Merson summed up the challenge by calling the job "big, big" and doubting whether a high‑profile manager would be willing to take it under the current circumstances.
He believes the club’s internal dynamics and recent results will make the position less attractive to the elite names that once coveted it. In summary, Chelsea’s shortlist now includes three managers with distinct profiles: Iraola, a promising young coach leaving Bournemouth; Silva, an experienced Premier League tactician whose contract at Fulham is ending; and Alonso, a former world‑class midfielder turned manager who is currently without a club.
The Blues are aiming for a candidate who can bring Premier League know‑how or a proven track record at a high level, while also being ready to rebuild a youthful squad that has struggled to keep pace with its opponents. The club will take its time, with Calum McFarlane steering the ship until the season’s end, before making a definitive appointment that could shape Chelsea’s direction for years to come.