Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola Lead Chelsea Manager Search News
Chelsea manager search news moved forward with encouraging discussions over Xabi Alonso and a meeting with Andoni Iraola as the club weighs a permanent head coach appointment. Chelsea are not expected to rush the decision, leaving the search open while the season reaches its final stretch.
Alonso Leads Chelsea Talks
Alonso, 44, has become one of Chelsea’s top picks for the job after holding talks over a move to Stamford Bridge. He has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid earlier this season, and he won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.
That profile fits the direction Chelsea are assessing. The recruitment department has acknowledged the need for the team to become more physical, and Alonso has been on Chelsea’s radar for at least three years. The club also believes his style would suit a young squad, which is part of why his candidacy has stayed live.
Iraola And Chelsea Meeting
Iraola has also moved firmly into the frame. Chelsea have met him to talk through the role and are closely monitoring his situation, with both he and Alonso emerging as the leading options for the permanent head coach post.
Bournemouth’s position gives his case another layer. Iraola’s side are four points off the top five with two games left and six points clear of Chelsea, keeping him in the middle of a strong season while Chelsea remain outside that race. That makes him an attractive candidate, but it also means his immediate focus remains on Bournemouth’s finish.
Chelsea’s Wider Candidate List
Chelsea have looked beyond the top two as well, with Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner and Filipe Luís all under consideration. Silva is out of contract at the end of the season, while Glasner will leave Crystal Palace after the Conference League final later this month.
For now, Chelsea still have a short-term handover in place. Calum McFarlane is in the dugout for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City after Liam Rosenior was removed last month, and the club’s permanent appointment will shape the next phase of a search that has already stretched across three and a half months.
