Chelsea manager search: Leading managers to take over the job next season
Ever since the departure of Liam Rosenior, the big question for Chelsea has been simple: “Who will be taking the job for next season?”
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at the leading candidates for the Chelsea managerial position at the moment.
Xabi Alonso
Emerging as the lead candidate at this moment is a manager who achieved so much as a player and has done great things as a manager so far in his career.
According to many reports coming out in the last few days, Xabi Alonso has been identified by Chelsea as the frontrunner for the job.
The Spaniard achieved great things in his short time managing Bayern Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga and going unbeaten throughout the whole league campaign.
Alonso hasn’t been in a managerial position since his short tenure as manager of Real Madrid. However, he still maintained a decent record with 24 wins in 34 games and a 2.24 points-per-game average.
According to reports from David Ornstein, Alonso would be open to the possibility of moving to the London side, as currently there are no talks between him and Liverpool as they look to back Arne Slot for another season.
This is definitely a manager that the fans certainly want to see for next season, and is also looking the clear favourite as of right now.
Andoni Iraola
Next up is a highly-rated Spanish manager who is attracting a lot of attention for his stellar work as manager of Bournemouth.
Similar to Xabi Alonso, Andoni Iraola is also highly admired by many of the Chelsea higher-ups and is also in strong contention for the job.
His time at Bournemouth has been nothing short of outstanding, as they are currently in a shout for Champions League, and are on a 16-game unbeaten run playing exciting and eye-catching football.
He has already confirmed he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of this season, with many teams looking at him as an option for next season.
Iraola is a manager who is definitely attracting interest, and this is certainly one for Chelsea fans to watch out for.
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Marco Silva
The next option may not be a popular one amongst Chelsea fans. However, it is someone that the Chelsea ownership is looking at as a potential option.
According to reports, the club have decided that Fulham manager Marco Silva should be a candidate for the job next season.
The Portuguese manager currently has his side in eleventh place and has a three-year contract on the table from Fulham.
However, this all depends on his future and how serious these links are between Silva and the Blues.
Cesc Fabregas
A Chelsea legend who has won Premier Leagues and has made an excellent start to his managerial career.
Cesc Fabregas is definitely a popular choice as he has taken Como to sixth in Serie A, and is also someone who understands the pressures of the club.
This, however, may be a real gamble as Chelsea will be putting a lot of pressure on an inexperienced manager.
However, it is certainly someone that the fans and players can get behind.
Oliver Glasner
And finally, we have the current Crystal Palace manager, who will be leaving at the end of the season.
Oliver Glasner has had a wonderful time as manager of Crystal Palace: winning the FA Cup, getting Palace European football, and playing fearless attacking football.
However, the last year for him at Palace has been quite tough with the sale of Marc Guehi and Eze, as well as him confirming he will be leaving at the end of the season.
He could end his time at the Eagles on a high as they are in the UEFA Conference League final, and then questions will start to be asked about what his future may hold.
A manager who has won trophies and plays aesthetically pleasing football may attract the Chelsea board to go forward and maybe appoint Glasner for next season.
The appointment process for the Blues is going to be very interesting after the season is done, as a very important decision will have to be made, with the board not wanting to fail with their next manager after so many appointments and departures.
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