Andoni Iraola becomes leading contender for Chelsea job as outgoing Bournemouth boss responds to question on links
Andoni Iraola is a leading candidate to become the next Chelsea boss after Liam Rosenior’s sacking, talkSPORT understands.
Rosenior was sacked by the Blues on Wednesday, just three months after his appointment on a six-and-a-half-year contract in January.
The departure brings an end to a miserable stint at Stamford Bridge, which saw him lose seven of his last eight matches in charge.
With the Englishman replacing Enzo Maresca in January, Chelsea are now once again searching for a new man to lead their team.
Calum McFarlane will take charge on an interim basis until the end of the season, before the BlueCo ownership decide on their fifth permanent appointment since 2022 in the summer.
And talkSPORT understands outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the leading candidate to take the reins at Chelsea.
The Spaniard will be available as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season and is highly regarded by Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali.
Iraola is highly sought-after having turned Bournemouth to the brink of a European place for the first time in their history and on a club record unbeaten run in the Premier League.
He is thought to have rejected the advances of Crystal Palace as they hunt for a successor for Oliver Glasner.
Iraola asked about Chelsea links
Bournemouth were in action on Wednesday night as they played out a 2-2 draw at home to Leeds in what will be Iraola’s fifth final game in charge of the Cherries.
Iraola remained tight-lipped when asked by talkSPORT about being linked with the Chelsea job, however.
“I have full focus is on Bournemouth,” Iraola said.
“I said it when I announced that I was not continuing that I will not talk about any other thing about my future because I have to be very respectful with this club because I have to thank them for a lot of things.”
Howe about the others?
Should Iraola not head to west London, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe also has admirers among the Chelsea hierarchy.
The Englishman has enjoyed a hugely successful stint at St James’ Park, but a disappointing campaign has led to speculation he could depart the club in the summer.
Elsewhere, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann was previously a contender after former boss Graham Potter was sacked in 2023.
Currently in charge of the German national team, Nagelsmann could be prompted to reconsider after this summer’s World Cup.
Also touted as potential candidates are former Chelsea bosses Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard, with the latter having just guided Coventry to Premier League promotion.
Elsewhere, former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic, who is currently without a club, has been linked to the role.
Porto manager Francesco Farioli could also be considered, as well as ex-Blues defender Filipe Luis, who impressed whilst in charge of Brazilian outfit Flamengo before his departure in March.
With a big decision looming at Stamford Bridge, talkSPORT discussed some of the candidates to succeed Rosenior in the dugout.
Best of the rest – Nagelsmann, Farioli, Luis
Following the news of Rosenior’s sacking, talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs outlined Chelsea’s strategy in their search for a new head coach, and explained why Julian Nagelsmann could be considered.
He told talkSPORT Drive: “I think Chelsea’s direction of travel will be to go to a coach with a more proven CV at the time of joining.
“The Nagelsmann links come from the fact that Chelsea, before they hired Mauricio Pochettino, interviewed Julian Nagelsmann.
“There was certainly appreciation for his philosophy and yet, ironically, Chelsea felt that their thorough process was not something that Nagelsmann wanted to partake in.
“His position was clear. You offer me the job or if you’re going to keep me waiting, I’m going to go elsewhere.
“Now he’s got the World Cup and he’s contracted through this World Cup.
“So let’s see whether Chelsea revisit Nagelsmann. There is some appreciation for him, but nothing moving at this stage.”
Prior to taking charge of Germany, Nagelsmann managed Bayern Munich between 2021 and 2023, winning the Bundesliga once.
He made a name for himself in a two-year spell RB Leipzig, who he guided to the Champions League semi-finals in 2020, as well as turning them into league challengers.
Outlining other potential candidates, Jacobs had named Iraola and Terzic – who led Dortmund to the 2024 Champions League final.
He then named Porto boss Farioli, who is viewed as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches, as well as former Blues defender Luis.
Jacobs said: “In the past names like Francesco Farioli and Filipe Luis have both been linked to.
“So the beauty for Chelsea is that come summer there’ll be a lot of names available.
“But I think their mantra this time will be to go along the lines of someone with a proven CV, rather than necessarily only investing in managerial potential.”
Third time lucky?
Also mooted as two names who could consider a Stamford Bridge return were Chelsea icons Mourinho and Lampard.
Currently in charge of Benfica, ‘The Special One’ won three Premier League titles across two spells as Blues manager, while Lampard followed up his legendary playing career by becoming manager for the first time in 2019.
After his departure in 2021, the ex-England midfielder returned as caretaker boss in 2023, and has since revived his career at Coventry.
Former England captain Stuart Pearce said of a potential return for Lampard: “Whether he’d entertain it now [after promotion with Coventry], I’m not so sure.
“But I think some time in the future, if he continues on the upward curve he’s one, it wouldn’t surprise me if he does go back to Chelsea.”
As for Mourinho, Pearce told talkSPORT: “That wouldn’t surprise me either. I think he’d love to go back.”
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