Andoni Iraola Keen on Chelsea Managerial Vacancy
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is interested in becoming the next permanent head coach of Chelsea, according to a report from transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The news follows Chelsea's dismissal of Liam Rosenior earlier this week, which has left the Stamford Bridge club searching for its latest managerial appointment.
Romano stated that Iraola, who is set to leave Bournemouth upon the expiry of his contract this summer, would be keen on the opportunity to take charge at Chelsea. The 41-year-old Spaniard had been heavily linked with a return to Athletic Club, where he enjoyed a long playing career, but that role is now set to be filled by Edin Terzic. This development has opened a potential pathway for Iraola to remain in the Premier League with a new project.
Chelsea's search is understood to be in its early stages, with the club's hierarchy planning a thorough process to identify their ideal candidate. A manager with proven experience is reportedly a key requirement. Alongside Iraola, several other high-profile names have been linked with the vacancy, including Xabi Alonso, Marco Silva, Xavi, Julian Nagelsmann, and even former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Romano emphasized that while Iraola is a person of interest, no advanced talks or agreements are currently in place.
Iraola has earned considerable praise for his work at Bournemouth, implementing an aggressive, high-pressing style of football that has made the Cherries a consistently competitive side in the top flight. His potential appointment would align with Chelsea's recent tendency to hire progressive, attack-minded coaches, though it would also mark a departure from their pattern of recruiting managers with a history of winning major trophies.
In a separate development, Romano played down the likelihood of another candidate, Cesc Fabregas, taking the role. The former Chelsea midfielder is currently managing Serie A's Como and is deeply invested in their project, with the Italian club confident he will remain in charge next season. Fabregas's potential candidacy had emerged due to his strong start in management and his existing connections to Chelsea, but a move is considered unlikely unless Chelsea makes a decisive push.
The Chelsea job remains one of the most scrutinized in world football, with the club's owners having overseen a period of significant squad investment and frequent managerial change. The next appointment will be tasked with bringing stability and delivering a return to the Champions League, a competition the club has missed for two consecutive seasons. The decision is seen as pivotal for the club's direction ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
