Chelsea Place Two Premier League Managers, Ex-Liverpool Star on Shortlist for Liam Rosenior Replacements

Chelsea are reportedly considering Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola as a potential candidate to fill their managerial vacancy, with the club seeking a new head coach who aligns with their long-term vision.

Following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior last week, Chelsea's hierarchy has begun the process of identifying a successor.

Iraola, the 43-year-old Spaniard, is among several names being evaluated. However, the Blues could face competition from Crystal Palace, who are also said to be interested in the Bournemouth manager.

According to Dailymail, Palace have already made contact with Iraola's representatives as they prepare for the potential departure of their own manager, Oliver Glasner, this summer. It is believed that Iraola is their primary target.

Chelsea's shortlist is not limited to the Bournemouth boss. Fulham manager Marco Silva and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso are also being considered. Alonso, who was dismissed by Real Madrid in January after a brief six-month spell, previously enjoyed a successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen. Both Silva and Alonso have valuable experience in English football.

The club intends to finalise the appointment after the current season concludes. Insiders have stressed that Chelsea is taking a methodical approach to find a manager who can develop the current squad and achieve consistent results. The goal is to secure a long-term appointment that fits the club's overall strategy.

In the interim, 38-year-old Calum McFarlane has taken charge and guided the team to a crucial 1-0 victory over Leeds on Sunday, securing a place in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Enzo Fernandez, wearing the captain's armband, scored the decisive goal in a standout performance.

Iraola has earned praise for his work at Bournemouth since taking over nearly three years ago. He has guided the Cherries to a potential European qualification spot, currently sitting one point ahead of Chelsea in the Premier League table. Chelsea's next match is against Nottingham Forest on Monday.