Chelsea are looking for their next permanent manager following the sacking of Liam Rosenior, with Blues bosses compiling a shortlist of four candidates ahead of the summer.
Xavi named among four candidates to be Chelsea’s next manager (Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea are looking for a replacement for Liam Rosenior and have added former Barcelona manager Xavi to their list of candidates. The former Strasbourg manager was sacked last month after just three months in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Callum MacFarlane has been appointed caretaker manager until the end of the campaign while the club’s leadership attempts to find a long-term successor. A number of names have already been linked with the move.
And, according to The Independent, Chelsea have four names in mind that fit the footballing philosophy the club’s owners are trying to implement. Xabi Alonso, Porto’s Francois Farioli and Cesc Fabregas all fit into that mold, although the latter is not thought to leave Como in Italy this summer.
Another candidate Chelsea are eyeing is former Barcelona manager Xavi. The Spaniard is believed to fit well into the mindset Chelsea are trying to impose.
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The Spaniard has also been out of work since leaving Barca and is keen to return to football, but wants a ‘project’ that may not lend itself to the precarious working environment at Stamford Bridge.
Xavi is not the only Spanish manager to be linked with Chelsea since Rossenyol’s departure. Outgoing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was thought to be on the club’s shortlist.
While he has certainly been admired, there are concerns that his style has strayed a bit from Chelsea’s current ethos, leaving the club in a dilemma as to whether to stick with their original plan or change direction.
However, for the time being, it is likely that Iraola will be available as his return to Athletic Bilbao has been ruled out. The Spanish side have announced that Edin Terzic will replace Ernesto Valverde next season.
Chelsea bosses concerned about Andoni Iraola (Image: Getty Images)
“Athletic Club and Edin Terzic have reached an agreement for the German coach to coach the first team for the next two seasons until June 30, 2028. The manager will be officially announced at the end of the season, with four very important and exciting games remaining,” Spain said in a statement.
Jamie Carragher is already among those backing Iraola’s move to west London. “When you look at a player like Iraola, I think if you were a supporter you would never lose love for his team, you know what I mean?”
“They’re always running. There’s always an element of running. They’re going to lose games. They might get injured because of their style of play.
“I would probably like to see how it adapts in a bigger job. It will be more difficult with more games and probably a little more injuries. It’s like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool when Liverpool had injuries.”
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