Chelsea are weighing up a shortlist of candidates, including former Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, and Fulham boss Marco Silva, as they prepare for their fifth permanent managerial appointment in the BlueCo era, according to Press Association (via The Irish News).
The club are not rushing the process after the dismissal of Liam Rosenior last week, with internal evaluations ongoing and several options still under consideration.
It is understood Chelsea are leaning towards a more experienced figure after what is being viewed as a failed gamble on Rosenior, who had no Premier League managerial experience and had previously held only two senior coaching roles.
No final decision is expected before the end of the current campaign, with first-team coach Calum McFarlane set to remain in interim charge until the season concludes.
However, background checks and assessments are being carried out on Alonso, Iraola, and Silva, all of whom could be available this summer.
Silva is approaching the end of his contract at Craven Cottage and has yet to confirm whether he will extend his stay at Fulham.
Meanwhile, Iraola has already confirmed he will depart Bournemouth next month.
Alonso, who was sacked by Real Madrid in January, remains one of the most highly regarded young coaches in European football.
The 44-year-old former midfielder boasts a strong pedigree, having won the Champions League twice as a player and guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season in 2024.
While neither Silva nor Iraola have managed at Europe’s elite level, both have enhanced their reputations in the Premier League.
Iraola led Bournemouth to a ninth-place finish last season, matching the club’s highest-ever finish and currently has them pushing for a historic first European qualification.
Silva has similarly impressed at Fulham, steering them back to the Premier League in 2022 and delivering their best-ever top-flight points tally last season, with European qualification still within reach.
