Chelsea ready to explore Andoni Iraola talks as new manager shortlist drawn up | OneFootball

Blues have begun work to identify preferred candidates to succeed Liam Rosenior

Chelsea are ready to explore talks with Andoni Iraola over their vacant head coach position.

Standard Sport understands that the Bournemouth head coach is one of a small number of early frontrunners for the role.

Iraola earlier in April confirmed he would leave Bournemouth at the end of the current season, when his contract expires.

Andoni Iraola

London Standard

The Cherries have acted fast to source his replacement, with Marco Rose already confirmed as Iraola’s successor from next season.

Chelsea are in no rush to confirm a permanent replacement for Rosenior as they begin to gauge the availability and interest of potential candidates.

No offer has been made to a candidate.

Chelsea revealed in the wake of Rosenior’s sacking that a period of “self-reflection” will take place, and internally, there is an acknowledgement that recruitment decisions under the BlueCo regime have not always paid off.

Chelsea have also been linked with the Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and Fulham manager Marco Silva, though Iraola features more prominently on their list.

There is no guarantee that Howe leads Newcastle or Silva leads Fulham into the 2026-27 season.

Bournemouth are one place and one point above Chelsea in the Premier League and closing in on European qualification under Iraola, almost three years after he first took the helm.

Calum McFarlane is Chelsea's interim head coach until the summer, when a permanent successor to Rosenior will be appointed.