What Andoni Iraola truly thinks about becoming Chelsea’s next manager
Add as preferred source on Google The search for Liam Rosenior’s replacement is underway after Chelsea decided to sack him following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton, and Andoni Iraola has been heavily mentioned.
Rosenior received his marching orders on Wednesday morning, and confirmation arrived later that day. It comes after five straight losses in the Premier League, with Chelsea failing to score in any of those five.
Calum McFarlane has been handed the reins until the end of the season, starting with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds. But beyond that, Chelsea are looking to appoint a new manager for next term.
Pros and cons of hiring Andoni Iraola?
He could replace Liam Rosenior at Chelsea this summer!
Iraola is set to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season. The former Rayo Vallecano manager has confirmed his exit, with Marco Rose set to replace him. But what does Iraola think about joining Chelsea?
Andoni Iraola keen on relocating to London amid Chelsea links
Chelsea’s ownership are keen to hire a manager with Premier League experience, having attempted to bring in a young, up-and-coming gaffer with no top-flight history in England on the last two occasions.
Enzo Maresca was a success, but it failed in the long run, and Rosenior was a big mistake. Iraola has spent the last three seasons at Bournemouth, clocking up 123 matches and winning 45 while the Cherries boss.
Alex Crook told TalkSPORT that with Iraola leaving, he is keen to remain in the Premier League and wants to move to London: “I wonder if we’ll see a sea change here. They’ve gone down the rookie route.
“Not only Rosenior, but with Maresca too – his previous experience in England was in the Championship. Iraola was a name on the lips of a lot of people connected with Chelsea at Bournemouth last night.
“He’s leaving the Vitality. I’m told he likes the idea of relocating to London; he’s a fan of the city. Crystal Palace have shown interest. I understand he’s not keen on that move; he feels he can get a bigger job.”
Andoni Iraola’s win rate should be seen as a concern
Chelsea would be Iraola’s fifth spell in management, having worked in Cyprus and Spain before his move to England with Bournemouth. Indeed, he almost joined Leeds a few months before Bournemouth.
Who do YOU want to see replace Liam Rosenior now he is sacked?
He entered the world of management with AEK Larnaca, winning just 12 of 29 games. Yet that 41.4% win rate remains the highest number of any of his four clubs. Mirandes next, winning just 36.7% of games.
A total of 18 in 49, yet it earned him the Rayo job where he really put his name on the map as a manager. The former Bilbao and New York City player remained for 136 matches, but was victorious on just 54.
A rate of 39.7%, and Bournemouth is less at just 36.6%. If he is to get the Chelsea job, that figure needs to be well beyond the 50% mark if he is going to be more of a success than Maresca and Rosenior were.
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