Chelsea target ex-Barcelona boss Xavi as new manager after Andoni Iraola update
Chelsea are on the hunt for their next permanent manager following the sacking of Liam Rosenior and Blues chiefs have put together a four-man shortlist ahead of the summer
Chelsea have Xavi on a four-man shortlist for their next manager(Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea have added former Barcelona boss Xavi to their shortlist as they attempt to find a replacement for Liam Rosenior. The former Strasbourg boss was sacked last month after just three months at the helm at Stamford Bridge.
Calum McFarlane has been put in caretaker charge until the end of the campaign while club chiefs attempt to find a long-term successor. A number of names have already been linked with a move.
And according to The Independent, Chelsea have four names in mind that fit in with the footballing philosophy that the club’s owners have attempted to implement. Xabi Alonso, Porto’s Franceso Farioli and Cesc Fabregas are all in that mould – albeit it is believed that the latter will not be leaving Italian side Como this summer.
Another candidate being eyed by Chelsea is former Barcelona boss Xavi. It is thought that the Spaniard fits well into the school of thought that Chelsea are trying to enforce.
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The Spaniard is also keen to return to football, having been out of work since leaving Barcelona, albeit he wants a ‘project’ which might not lend itself to the volatile working environment at Stamford Bridge.
Xavi is not the only Spanish coach to have been linked with Chelsea since Rosenior’s exit. Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was thought to be on the club’s shortlist.
He is indeed admired but there are concerns that his style is a slight departure from Chelsea’s current philosophy, which leaves the club in a dilemma over whether to stick with their original plan or divert.
Iraola, however, will likely be available, having seen a return to Athletic Bilbao ruined for the time being. The Spanish side have confirmed that Edin Terzic will be replacing Ernesto Valverde from next season.
A statement from the Spanish side read: “Athletic Club and Edin Terzić have reached an agreement for the German coach to be the manager of the first team for the next two seasons, until June 30, 2028. “The coach will be officially presented once the season concludes, for which four very important and exciting matches remain.”
Jamie Carragher is already among those to have backed Iraola for a move to West London. He said: “When you see someone like Iraola, I don’t think you could ever fall out of love with his team if you were a supporter. You understand what I mean?
“They always run. There’s always that running element. They will lose games. They will maybe pick up injuries because of the style of play.
“I would probably like to see it in a bigger job and how he adapts. It would be a lot more difficult with more games and probably would be a bit more injuries, a bit like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool when Liverpool picked up injuries.”
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