These 3 managers have been shortlisted as new Chelsea manager
Chelsea are still hunting for a new manager at Stamford Bridge after sacking Liam Rosenior following a poor string of results that left the club scrambling for a Champions League spot. Reports suggest Chelsea will now approach two more candidates to try and steady the ship before the 2026-27 season kicks off. Simon Phillips reported via his Substack that the Blues have already touched base with the camps of Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso. Chelsea now intend to contact the agents for Oliver Glasner, who is leaving Crystal Palace this summer, and Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac.
Phillips noted that Kovac has been on Chelsea’s radar before, while the others are attractive simply because they are about to become available. Iraola is moving on from Bournemouth at the end of this campaign after a solid run with the Cherries. Glasner made it clear months ago that he wants a new challenge once his Palace deal runs out. Meanwhile, Alonso left Real Madrid by mutual consent back in January 2026 after a brief, underwhelming stint. These moves give Chelsea several options with decent resumes who can jump straight in, fitting the club’s habit of quick managerial changes since the 2022 takeover.
How do these four managers match Chelsea’s current needs at Stamford Bridge?
As Chelsea fans buckle up for yet another rebuild, these reported targets offer different styles that could fix recent holes in the team while playing to the squad’s strengths. Iraola stands out for the organised pressing and player development he showed at Bournemouth, where he built a productive attack on a tight budget. His tactical discipline could provide the structure Chelsea’s young squad often misses, though he would need to prove he can manage big egos and move away from the heavy counter-attacking style that sometimes left Bournemouth exposed.
Glasner brings the kind of high-energy football that led Palace to an FA Cup win and steady growth. He is great at fired-up teams through tight defending and fast breaks, qualities that could tighten Chelsea’s defence and spark more goals. However, his tactics can sometimes falter against elite teams that hog the ball, which might be an issue if Chelsea find themselves on the back foot in big games next year.
Alonso has the elite reputation from his playing career and early coaching hype, even if his time at Real Madrid showed he struggled to settle on a clear style under the spotlight. He offers an attacking mindset and knows how to handle stars, which will suit Chelsea’s expensive squad, but he would need time to find his feet, something rarely offered at Stamford Bridge.
Kovac offers the Made in Bundesliga toughness and defensive grit that helped Dortmund climb the table. He prioritises team discipline and set-piece drills, which would be a huge plus for a Chelsea side that have been leaky at the back. His direct approach is a total pivot from the flashy experiments that haven’t worked lately, though critics worry his rigid style might stifle creative play.
Chelsea have to compare these options carefully. The squad is packed with exciting young talent that needs clear direction but also protection from tactical blunders. The club have burned through coaches lately, so finding someone who balances discipline with a bit of tactical freedom is vital for the long haul. Phillips’ Substack update gives a credible look into a search that is still very much wide open as the season ends. Chelsea fans are just hoping the next hire finally brings some stability to the Bridge.
Rohit Sarkar
