Xavi Hernandez emerges as Chelsea target in search for new manager | OneFootball

Chelsea relieved Liam Rosenior of his duties following a damaging run of results that left their season in tatters.

Calum McFarlane stepped in on an interim basis to oversee the remainder of the campaign.

The search for a permanent appointment is already underway – and one of the most recognisable names in world football has reportedly emerged as a candidate to lead Chelsea into its next chapter.

Since the BlueCo consortium’s takeover, the Blues have prioritised a possession-based, high-energy coaching philosophy.

Xavi, a disciple of the ‘tiki-taka’ approach, fits this mould perfectly. At Barcelona, he led the team to a La Liga title in 2022/23 and a Supercopa de Espana.

Chelsea’s managerial carousel has resulted in Enzo Maresca and Rosenior departing in quick succession this season.

The club is adrift of the Champions League places and in desperate need of a long-term project leader.

Xavi, who has been on hiatus since leaving Catalonia in 2024, is keen for a challenge in the Premier League.

“There’s no hurry for me, but I’d like a good project,” Xavi told The Athletic.

“Like, you have four years to work and make a project.’ I’d love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there.

“In Spain, it’s too much about the result.”

Xavi is one of several managers in contention for the Chelsea job, with fellow Spaniards Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Andoni Iraola also believed to be options, alongside Marco Silva.

The Blues cannot afford to get their next managerial appointment if they are to retain their status as one of English football’s leading clubs.

Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest was their sixth consecutive league loss, leaving the Blues ninth in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.