Chelsea have placed Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and former midfielder-turned-manager Xabi Alonso on their shortlist as possible successors to Liam Rosenior, who is expected to depart at the end of the season. The club’s hierarchy believes that the upcoming summer transfer window will provide a richer selection of high‑profile coaches than the pool they had when they appointed Enzo Maresca in June 2024.
Back then, the two leading candidates – Maresca and Kieran McKenna – both lacked any Premier League experience, a factor that now appears to be a key requirement for the Blues. In recent weeks, Chelsea’s recruitment team has signaled a shift in strategy: they are now looking for a manager who either possesses direct experience in England’s top flight or has a proven record of success at a comparable level abroad. This change reflects the club’s desire to avoid another period of instability and to bring in a leader who can immediately command respect in the highly competitive environment of the Premier League.
Each of the three names on the list brings a distinct profile. Andoni Iraola, who has been at the helm of Bournemouth, has publicly confirmed that he intends to leave the club when his contract expires this summer. His tenure at Bournemouth has been marked by an attractive, possession‑based style of play and an ability to develop young talent, traits that could suit Chelsea’s youthful squad.
Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, is currently unattached after his spell with Bayer Leverkusen ended, and he has a reputation for tactical sophistication, having guided Leverkusen to a domestic double and deep runs in European competition. Marco Silva, whose contract with Fulham is set to expire in roughly two months, has accumulated extensive Premier League experience, having managed clubs such as Watford, Everton and Fulham, and is known for his pragmatic approach and ability to organise defensively solid teams.
Chelsea are not in a hurry to make a final appointment. Interim boss Calum McFarlane will continue to oversee the first team until the season concludes, giving the board ample time to evaluate each candidate thoroughly.
The club’s owners have also indicated that they prefer a measured decision rather than a rushed hire, acknowledging that the right manager could shape the team’s fortunes for years to come. Former England international Paul Merson, a vocal Chelsea supporter, has expressed skepticism that a "top‑drawer" manager will accept the role under the current circumstances. Merson argues that the club’s recent governance and operational issues have turned the job into one that would attract managers grateful for the opportunity rather than those seeking a prestigious challenge. He referenced the era of high‑profile appointments – such as Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti – suggesting that those days may be behind Chelsea.
When asked which manager he would like to see take charge, Merson mentioned Eddie Howe, noting that the Newcastle United boss is reportedly under pressure and might be open to a new challenge. Merson also highlighted the performance problems that have plagued Chelsea this season.
Despite fielding one of the youngest squads in the league, the team has been consistently out‑run in matches, raising concerns about fitness, tactical organisation and squad depth. He argued that any prospective manager will need to address these issues quickly, adding experienced players to a roster that currently includes several individuals he believes are not suited to the club’s ambitions.
In summary, Chelsea’s shortlist reflects a blend of domestic Premier League know‑how (Silva), emerging managerial talent with a modern football philosophy (Iraola), and a tactically astute, internationally recognised coach (Alonso). The club’s leadership appears intent on finding a candidate who can both nurture the existing youthful core and inject the experience required to compete at the highest level. Whether the appointment will be a high‑profile name or a grateful newcomer remains to be seen, but the decision will undoubtedly shape the direction of the Blues for the foreseeable future.