Spanish manager on Chelsea shortlist as they look for a new, long term managerial option | OneFootball

The managerial merry-go-round at Chelsea is back again. After enduring one of the most embarrassing domestic runs in the club’s modern history, the BlueCo ownership has finally pulled the plug on the Liam Rosenior experiment. Now, the frantic search for a savior is underway.

According to RMC, the Chelsea hierarchy is actively drawing up a shiny new shortlist, and departing Bournemouth mastermind Andoni Iraola has emerged as a serious contender to take the incredibly hot seat at Stamford Bridge.

Liam Rosenior era did not last long at Chelsea

To truly understand why Chelsea are panicking, you have to look at the staggering numbers.

Rosenior was handed a massive, headline-grabbing contract that supposedly ran all the way until 2032 just a few months ago in January.

Fast forward to late April, and he has been shown the door after just 23 matches in charge of the Premier League side.

A completely humiliating run of five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring a single goal, a historic, miserable low the club hasn’t experienced since 1912.

Calum McFarlane has been officially tasked with steadying the ship as interim boss until the end of the season, leaving the board to desperately plot their next massive, long-term move.

Andoni Iraola among options to become new Blues boss

The 43-year-old Spaniard is arguably one of the most sought-after managers on the market right now.

Having recently confirmed he will not be signing a new deal at the Vitality Stadium, with experienced German coach Marco Rose already announced as his direct successor for the 2026/27 campaign, Iraola is perfectly positioned for a massive step up.

During his time on the South Coast, Iraola proved he can build a relentless, high-energy, attacking unit that consistently punches above its weight, turning the Cherries into a genuinely formidable side.

For a heavily assembled Chelsea squad completely devoid of confidence and a clear tactical identity, bringing in a demanding, forward-thinking coach like him feels like a logical decision.

However, the Blues certainly won’t have a free run at the Spaniard. Manchester United are also heavily linked with Iraola as they weigh up their own long-term coaching options following Michael Carrick’s interim spell, setting the stage for a massive summer tug-of-war between the two Premier League giants.