World-class manager now gearing up to join Chelsea

Todd Boehly’s arrival at Chelsea in May 2022 offered a fresh opportunity for the Blue to kick on and finally push for a Premier League title after a lengthy five-year drought.

However, despite £1.7bn on new additions during such a period, no manager has been able to secure a top-three finish in England’s top-flight at Stamford Bridge.

Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior have all tried during the ownership’s tenure – but have all fallen short, with 5th the best finish to date.

After the latter was dismissed last month, the hierarchy are once again on the hunt for the next manager to try and make the club a force to be reckoned with.

Numerous names have already been touted with the role, but it’s crucial that the hierarchy get the appointment correct, given the failures of those in recent years.

World-class manager keen on the Chelsea job

Over the last couple of weeks, Chelsea have stepped up their interest in former Barcelona boss Xavi to potentially take the reins at Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 46-year-old has been out of work for nearly two years after leaving the Spanish giants, but is said to be open to returning to management in the months ahead.

However, they aren’t alone in wanting Xavi, with Manchester United another side who are said to be keen on hiring the Spaniard ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Despite the interest in hiring the former Barca boss this summer, it appears as though Xabi Alonso is the man whom the hierarchy want to replace the departed Rosenior.

According to The i paper, the 44-year-old is now the frontrunner for the job at present, after he was dismissed from Real Madrid back in January with Chelsea said to be showing ‘serious interest’ in the Spaniard.

The report also states that the former midfielder is gearing up for a return to management and is open to becoming the new Blues boss, suggesting that the club’s hierarchy are ready to cede some control on recruitment over to Alonso.

Alonso’s name seems to be right at the forefront of the rumour mill, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein also suggesting on Monday evening that they are “exploring” a deal to bring the former Leverkusen boss to London this summer.

Why Alonso would be a better appointment than Iraola

Despite interest in the aforementioned managers, departing AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has also emerged as a potential candidate for the vacant Chelsea job.

The Spaniard has already announced he will be departing the Vitality this summer, after rejecting numerous new contracts to extend his stay on the South Coast.

However, he’s constantly exceeded expectations in charge of the Cherries, with his side currently sat in sixth place in the Premier League with just two games remaining.

As a result, their chances of securing European football are firmly within their own grasp – with the club potentially featuring in Europe for the first time in their history.

Such a feat highlights the incredible work of Iraola at the Vitality, with the 43-year-old undoubtedly deserving of a chance to manage one of Europe’s leading clubs.

However, despite the interest in Iraola, the Chelsea hierarchy desperately need to look past the Spaniard and prioritise a move for his compatriot, Alonso.

Whilst the former Liverpool player has only been in management for a handful of years, he’s already built an impressive CV and one that could finally bring success back to the Bridge.

He won the Bundesliga title back in 2023/24 with Bayer Leverkusen – subsequently securing their first-ever top division title and doing so whilst going invincible.

Alonso, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, also won the DFB Pokal during the same campaign and secured a memorable league and cup double.

He’s since been at the helm at the Bernabeu, but was ultimately harshly dismissed after winning 71% of his games in charge during his six-month tenure in LaLiga.

Despite not winning a trophy with the Spanish giants, he’s demonstrated he’s capable of living up to the demands of an expecting fanbase – something which is certainly the case at Chelsea.

His experience of winning titles is something Iraola is yet to achieve in his own managerial career, with the Blues board needing to prioritise a move for Alonso.

The interest from other clubs in the Premier League demonstrates the need to work quickly, with Chelsea potentially ruing their decision not to pursue his signature.

Iraola would be an impressive option to help build for the future, but the recent lack of success has only increased the need for a proven winner – something which Alonso has become known for.