Nicolas Jackson’s future at Chelsea may be revitalized should Andoni Iraola become the club’s new head coach this summer. The 24-year-old forward is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, but the German club have confirmed they will not be exercising their €65 million option to buy. This means Jackson will return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, leaving his long-term future uncertain.
Jackson has enjoyed a productive season with Bayern, scoring 10 goals in all competitions. His loan move came after falling out of favour at Chelsea, initially under Enzo Maresca, and with the arrival of other attacking options. However, Maresca’s departure in January has opened a potential pathway back into the first team. Chelsea have already secured a deal to bring in Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg in July, but the anticipated sale of Liam Delap could create space for Jackson in the squad.
The possibility of a Chelsea resurgence for Jackson is significantly boosted if Iraola is appointed as the new manager. Chelsea are searching for a permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior, and Iraola is currently the frontrunner for the position. He has confirmed he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, and with other managerial positions seemingly filled, Chelsea represents a likely destination.
Iraola has overseen a successful period at Bournemouth, potentially leading them to European football for the first time in their history. Importantly, he has previously expressed his admiration for Jackson’s abilities. While managing Villarreal, Iraola faced Jackson and was impressed by his pace, ability to beat defenders, and overall potential to create chances. He described Jackson as a “very, very good player” who could offer both goals and opportunities for teammates.
In 2023, prior to a match between Bournemouth and Chelsea, Iraola stated to reporters that Jackson would “provide not only the goals, but a lot of chances.” This suggests a strong appreciation for Jackson’s skillset. Should Iraola take the helm at Chelsea, it is highly probable that he would offer Jackson a second chance to prove his worth in West London, potentially marking a turning point in the player’s career.
