{"id":1600,"date":"2026-04-28T04:54:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T04:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1600"},"modified":"2026-04-28T04:54:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T04:54:45","slug":"chelsea-next-manager-xabi-alonso-added-to-shortlist-as-opening-contact-made","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1600","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea next manager: Xabi Alonso added to shortlist as opening contact made"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_4f8be1\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">After sacking Liam Rosenior and appointing Calum McFarlane on an interim basis, Chelsea are searching for their next permanent manager, and three names on their shortlist have emerged<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37077642\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"VITORIA, SPACE - DECEMBER 14: Xabi Alonso head coach of Real Madrid CF looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Mendizorrotza on December 14, 2025 in Vitoria, Spain. (Photo By Ricardo Larreina\/Europa Press via Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2251899906.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_GettyImages-2251899906.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_GettyImages-2251899906.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2251899906.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Xabi Alonso is on Chelsea's shortlist\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Xabi Alonso is on Chelsea&#8217;s shortlist<cite aria-label=\"Image: Ricardo Larreina\/Europa Press via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Ricardo Larreina\/Europa Press via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea will make checks on both Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva after contacting Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola in their search for a new manager. The Blues sacked Liam Rosenior last week on the back of suffering five consecutive Premier League defeats, leaving their Champions League hopes in tatters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calum McFarlane will take charge of first-team duties until the end of this season after guiding Chelsea to the FA Cup final with Sunday&#8217;s 1-0 victory over Leeds. <!-- -->McFarlane will then be a replaced by a permanent successor to Rosenior, who lasted just three months in the Stamford Bridge hot seat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It emerged on Monday that Chelsea have made contact with Iraola, 43, who&#8217;s already confirmed to be leaving Bournemouth upon the expiry of his contract in June. But the Spaniard isn&#8217;t the only manager under consideration, the Telegraph report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fulham boss Silva, who like Iraola is out of contract this summer, is also set to be contacted. As is Alonso, who was sacked by Real Madrid in January after just seven months in charge, and the former Liverpool midfielder is under the same representation as compatriot Iraola.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football&#8217;s greatest tournament &#8211; Buy the Special Edition today<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Next Chelsea Manager: Calum McFarlane&#8217;s odds slashed after FA Cup semi-final win<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Trevoh Chalobah hits back at Chelsea critics after response to Liam Rosenior accusations<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Those three aren&#8217;t the only coaches on Chelsea&#8217;s shortlist, though, with other unnamed candidates also being discussed. Their group of five sporting directors will spearhead the process of appointing the club&#8217;s sixth permanent manager since Chelsea were purchased by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital&#8217;s consortium in 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Blues have a week until they play again, hosting relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest next Monday afternoon. While Alonso and Iraola are both available for hire in the summer as things stand, Silva&#8217;s future at Fulham remains undecided.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Who should Chelsea appoint as their next manager? Let us know your pick in the comments section.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37077643\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37077643\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bournemouth's Spanish manager Andoni Iraola (R) greets Fulham's Portuguese head coach Marco Silva (L) ahead of kick-off in the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Fulham at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on October 3, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK\/AFP) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club\/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club\/league\/player publications. \/ (Photo by GLYN KIRK\/AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077643.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2238630187.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077643.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2238630187.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077643.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2238630187.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37077643.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2238630187.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea plan to speak to Marco Silva's camp, having already contacted that of Andoni Iraola\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea plan to speak to Marco Silva&#8217;s camp, having already contacted that of Andoni Iraola<cite aria-label=\"Image: GLYN KIRK\/AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: GLYN KIRK\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">When asked last week if there&#8217;d been any progress regarding his future, the Portuguese snapped: &#8220;No. Why is it different this week? It is not at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It is the same and the same answer that I said to you already last week, it is the same. I will not make, every single week, comments about (my future).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;When something comes new, we are going to tell from ourselves, myself and the club. Everything what I need, or the club needs to do with me is going to be between me and the club.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror Football<\/strong> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us &#8211; and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re cu<\/em><em>rious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After sacking Liam Rosenior and appointing Calum McFarlane on an interim basis, Chelsea are searching&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1601,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1600\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}