The contenders to be the next Chelsea manager

24/04/2026 London Football News Chelsea 0

Following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior after just three months in charge, London Football News looks at the names in the frame to take the hotseat at Stamford Bridge.

With Calum McFarlane—the current interim head coach—stepping up for the second time this season, the Chelsea hierarchy, led by co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, are reportedly seeking a more established figure to steady a restless dressing room.

The Frontrunner: Andoni Iraola

Iraola has confirmed he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, making him the most “available” high-calibre candidate on the market.

  • The Case For: He has transformed the Cherries into European contenders with a high-energy, vertical style of play that suits Chelsea’s youthful, expensive squad.
  • The Case Against: Rumours suggest the Spaniard may prefer a return to La Liga with Athletic Bilbao, and there are doubts over whether he wants to step into the ongoing project in West London.

The Ex-Player Gamble: Filipe Luís

The former Chelsea left-back is currently the betting favourite following a highly successful spell in Brazil with Flamengo.

  • The Case For: He is a serial winner who understands the club’s expectations. His tactical flexibility has earned praise, and he is viewed as a figure who would command immediate respect from senior players.
  • The Case Against: He lacks European coaching experience. After the Rosenior experiment failed, the board may be hesitant to appoint another relatively inexperienced manager.

The Tactical Heavyweights

Xabi Alonso: Currently unattached after leaving Real Madrid, Alonso remains the most coveted coach in world football. While his work at Bayer Leverkusen remains the gold standard, he may be holding out for a more stable environment than Stamford Bridge currently offers.

Marco Silva: The Fulham manager is a name that refuses to go away. He offers proven Premier League stability and a tactical discipline that Chelsea have lacked throughout a chaotic campaign.

Cesc Fàbregas: Another former Blue currently impressing with Como in Serie A. However, his lack of top-level managerial longevity might work against him at this stage.

The Wildcards

  • Edin Terzić: The former Borussia Dortmund boss offers Champions League experience and is reportedly under serious consideration.
  • Francesco Farioli: The Porto manager has admirers within the BlueCo hierarchy for his progressive, data-driven approach to the game.

Verdict

The board is under immense pressure. Having spent over £1.5bn on the squad, they cannot afford another appointment that fails to click. While Iraola is the logical tactical choice, the desire for a “big character” to appease the fans and the dressing room could lead the owners back to a familiar face like Filipe Luís or a move for the dependable Marco Silva.