{"id":4772,"date":"2026-05-06T10:33:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T10:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4772"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T10:33:37","slug":"three-managers-under-consideration-to-be-next-chelsea-manager-as-blues-make-xavi-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4772","title":{"rendered":"Three managers under consideration to be next Chelsea manager as Blues make Xavi decision"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_1cee89\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">As Chelsea continue to ponder who will be named as their next manager next season, football.london gives the latest on the recent links to ex-Barcelona manager Xavi<\/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=\"33893451\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xavi Hernandez is speaking during the press conference prior to the UEFA Champions League match against SSC Napoli in Barcelona, Spain, on March 11, 2024\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893451.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2068282604.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893451.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_GettyImages-2068282604.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893451.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_GettyImages-2068282604.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893451.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2068282604.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Xavi has been linked with Chelsea\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Xavi has been linked with Chelsea<cite aria-label=\"Image: Urbanandsport\/NurPhoto\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Urbanandsport\/NurPhoto)<\/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 not made any contact with the representatives of ex-Barcelona manager Xavi. Club chiefs are still pondering who will take over next season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">At present, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london<\/strong> understands the three candidates Chelsea are considering are Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, ex-Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso and Fulham chief Marco Silva, with no contact being made with Xavi.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The latter has been out of a job since Barcelona sacked him at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He has previously been linked with a move to the Blues but, as it stands, there have been no discussions between the club and him about becoming the next permanent boss in the summer.<\/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><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Iraola, Silva and Alonso are still understood to be the three main contenders to takeover from Calum McFarlane at the end of the campaign. The latter was put in caretaker charge after Liam Rosenior was sacked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsae are not in a rush to appoint a permanent successor, despite the Blues having an FA Cup final on the horizon. Rosenior was dismissed last month after a poor 3-0 away loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, despite barely being three months into a six-and-a-half-month contract.<\/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-33893456\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33893456\" 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=\"Head Coaches Marco Silva of Fulham and Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and AFC Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on December 29, 2024 in London, England\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893456.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2191757161.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893456.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2191757161.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893456.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2191757161.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893456.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2191757161.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Silva and Iraola are both believed to be on Chelsea's shortlist\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Silva and Iraola are both believed to be on Chelsea&#8217;s shortlist<cite aria-label=\"Image: 2024 AFC Bournemouth\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: 2024 AFC Bournemouth)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">BlueCo are looking to learn from their previous mistakes and are using the time between now and the end of the campaign to reflect and make a considered decision on the next boss. Alonso is a free agent after being sacked by Real Madrid in January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, Iraola is still at Bournemouth, but the Spaniard has already confirmed he will leave the Vitality Stadium at the end of the campaign. Silva is also still in charge at Fulham, but his contract is up at the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The former Everton manager is yet to make a decision on his future and will likely wait until the end of the season to do so. Until a decision is made, McFarlane will be in charge of the Blues for the remainder of the 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-33893461\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33893461\" 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=\"Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium\u00a0in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. Real Madrid appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as new coach on January 12, 2026 after coach Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent, a day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona, AFP reports\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893461.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2255439359-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893461.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2255439359-1.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893461.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2255439359-1.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33893461.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2255439359-1.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Xabi Alonso is still on Chelsea's shortlist\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Xabi Alonso is still on Chelsea&#8217;s shortlist<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP or licensors\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP or licensors)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His second temporary spell began with a 1-0 triumph over Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final, but the Blues were knocked back down to earth by Nottingham Forest. Vitor Pereira&#8217;s side, despite making several changes to their starting eleven, beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It&#8217;s a result which leaves the Blues in danger of missing out on European football entirely. Had Jeremy Doku not scored a last-minute equaliser for Manchester City against Everton, Chelsea would have dropped down to tenth position.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article29688868.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Chelsea continue to ponder who will be named as their next manager next season,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4773,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4772","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\/4772","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=4772"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4772\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}