Chelsea hold new manager talks as top two candidates and timeline emerge | OneFootball

Race to succeed Liam Rosenior is heating up and fans may not have to wait long for an appointment

The Blues have spoken with both Alonso and Iraola, who are ahead of other contenders in the club’s thinking.

While the race is still open and nothing is at an advanced stage, Standard Sport understands that there is confidence internally that an appointment will be made before the middle of June, and there are between five and six candidates being seriously considered for the job.

Alonso is open to the prospect of working at Stamford Bridge. He had already set his sights on this summer as an appropriate moment to get back into management by taking on a fresh challenge.

The 44-year-old won the double in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, where he made a name for himself as a promising young manager. He then lasted only seven months at Real Madrid before departing in January.

It is felt that World Cup winner Alonso, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Spain, would command instant respect from Chelsea’s young squad.

He has also been linked with a possible return to Anfield in the event that Arne Slot leaves this summer.

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

He has earned plenty of admirers during his time at the Vitality Stadium for a front-footed and attack-minded brand of football.

Bournemouth, in his final season, sit three places above Chelsea in the Premier League table and are in with a chance to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

The recruitment process for the next permanent head coach is being led by Chelsea’s co-sporting directors.

Chelsea revealed in the wake of Liam Rosenior’s sacking last month that a period of “self-reflection” will take place, and they acknowledge that recruitment decisions under the BlueCo regime have not always worked out.

Calum McFarlane is in charge as interim head coach until the end of the season. McFarlane has the chance to guide Chelsea to their only piece of silverware of the season if his side can beat Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

There is expected to be change within the Chelsea squad this summer with both new signings and sales expected as the club look to deviate somewhat from their previous strategy of targeting exclusively young players with high potential market value.

Some senior players, including Enzo Fernandez, have uncertain futures. They are due to miss out on significant bonuses due to failing to secure Champions League football for next season.