{"id":4406,"date":"2026-05-05T19:42:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T19:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4406"},"modified":"2026-05-05T19:42:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T19:42:02","slug":"chelsea-target-ex-barcelona-boss-xavi-as-new-manager-after-andoni-iraola-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4406","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea target ex-Barcelona boss Xavi as new manager after Andoni Iraola update"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_cd6cce\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">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<\/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=\"37112412\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xavi\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112412.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2190046416.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112412.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2190046416.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112412.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2190046416.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112412.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2190046416.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea have Xavi on a four-man shortlist for their next manager\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea have Xavi on a four-man shortlist for their next manager<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: 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 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And according to The Independent, Chelsea have four names in mind that fit in with the footballing philosophy that the club\u2019s owners have attempted to implement. Xabi Alonso, Porto&#8217;s Franceso Farioli and Cesc Fabregas are all in that mould &#8211; albeit it is believed that the latter will not be leaving Italian side Como this summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_8b4018\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Chelsea issue Jesse Derry update after star taken to hospital with head injury<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_8b4018\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Chelsea boss hits back at Cole Palmer criticism &#8211; &#8216;It&#8217;s been difficult&#8217;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Blues news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Spaniard is also keen to return to football, having been out of work since leaving Barcelona, albeit he wants a \u2018project\u2019 which might not lend itself to the volatile working environment at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Xavi is not the only Spanish coach to have been linked with Chelsea since Rosenior\u2019s exit. Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was thought to be on the club\u2019s shortlist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He is indeed admired but there are concerns that his style is a slight departure from Chelsea\u2019s current philosophy, which leaves the club in a dilemma over whether to stick with their original plan or divert.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/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-37112437\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37112437\" 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=\"Andoni Iraola\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112437.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2271363524.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112437.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2271363524.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112437.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2271363524.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37112437.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2271363524.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea chiefs have concerns over Andoni Iraola\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea chiefs have concerns over Andoni Iraola<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: 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\">A statement from the Spanish side read: \u201cAthletic Club and Edin Terzi\u0107 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. \u201cThe coach will be officially presented once the season concludes, for which four very important and exciting matches remain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jamie Carragher is already among those to have backed Iraola for a move to West London. He said: \u201cWhen you see someone like Iraola, I don\u2019t think you could ever fall out of love with his team if you were a supporter. You understand what I mean?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThey always run. There\u2019s always that running element. They will lose games. They will maybe pick up injuries because of the style of play.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community! Click<\/em> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>this link<\/em> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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