Chelsea Identify Cesc Fabregas As Leading Managerial Candidate: Reports

According to new reports, Chelsea are seriously considering a sensational return for Cesc Fabregas, the 38-year-old Spaniard currently working wonders as head coach at Italian club Como. The Blues are still in search of their next permanent manager after parting company with Liam Rosenior, and the ex-Stamford Bridge midfielder is understood to be the leading candidate for the role.

Rosenior was sacked following a woeful 3-0 thrashing at Brighton, which was the fifth straight Premier League loss without scoring. The Englishman was sacked just months into a six-year deal he penned at the start of the year, leaving Calum McFarlane in interim charge for the remainder of the campaign as the board quietly weigh up their long-term options.

Como President Mirwan Suwarso told City AM that the Lombardy outfit would not stand in the way of Fabregas if he decided to head back to West London in the summer:

“We don’t own him and he’s free to go to Chelsea if he wishes.”

Fabregas, also a minority owner at Como, has helped the club to a sensational sixth place in Serie A this season, with three games to go, potentially allowing them to beat Juventus and Roma to a Champions League place. He was recently named Coach of the Year in Italy by the Italian Football Federation, winning the prestigious Bearzot Award. The Spaniard has conceded that a Premier League move is inevitable, but is not rushing to leave his Como project.

Iraola, Silva, Alonso Also Firmly In The Frame For Chelsea Job

BlueCo ownership of Chelsea are understood to be considering seven or eight names in total. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola is understood to be an early front-runner for the role, but Fabregas has taken most of the headlines. The Basque tactician has already confirmed he will leave the Cherries at the end of his contract this summer, meaning he would be an attractive free agent who would not cost any compensation fee.

Another strong candidate is Fulham manager Marco Silva, whose agent Jorge Mendes is understood to have a good relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy. Former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has also been touted as a candidate with the elite-level pedigree that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy is now prioritising, having been out of work since being sacked by Los Blancos in January.

The Blues won’t be rushed into a decision, and McFarlane is expected to remain in charge until the end of the season. And Chelsea have already coughed up around £45 million ($61m) in managerial compensation over the last four years, and their next appointment has to firmly end the revolving door at Stamford Bridge.