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Chelsea eyes Bournemouth’s Iraola for vacant coach

4/28/2026

Summary

Chelsea Targets Iraola

Chelsea Football Club has contacted Andoni Iraola about the vacant head-coach position.
Chelsea dismissed Liam Rosenior after 23 games and named Calum McFarlane interim head coach.
Iraola, 43, will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at season’s end.
Chelsea’s five sporting directors are reviewing Marco Silva, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Marco Farioli and Xavi for the role.
Bournemouth currently sit seventh, one point above Chelsea, after a 14-match unbeaten run.

Summary

Chelsea Seeks Manager

BlueCo owners said they will take time and enter a period of self-reflection before appointing a permanent manager.
The club is shifting strategy to pursue a top-level manager with elite experience, sparking interest in Xabi Alonso.
Analysts note Chelsea’s recent managerial hires have been short-lived and largely unsuccessful since the 2022 takeover.
Potential candidates include Julian Nagelsmann and Frank Lampard, while talkSPORT reports that a Jose Mourinho return is unlikely.

History

Historical Context

Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003, ending a decade of financial strain and launching a period of frequent managerial changes that produced record losses of £140 million in 2005. After the 2022 BlueCo takeover, the club’s new owners face fan pressure as they evaluate several candidates, seeking stability after years of turnover.

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Chelsea Targets Iraola

Chelsea Football Club has contacted Andoni Iraola about the vacant head-coach position.
Chelsea dismissed Liam Rosenior after 23 games and named Calum McFarlane interim head coach.
Iraola, 43, will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at season’s end.
Chelsea’s five sporting directors are reviewing Marco Silva, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Marco Farioli and Xavi for the role.
Bournemouth currently sit seventh, one point above Chelsea, after a 14-match unbeaten run.

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