Chelsea have made their first steps to hiring a replacement for Liam Rosenior by opening talks with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, according to a report.
Chelsea are searching for a new manager after sacking Liam Rosenior last week. Interim manager Calum McFarlane will take charge of the Blues for the remaining five games, including an FA Cup final.
But beyond that, Chelsea are looking for a new manager. Once again, BlueCo and the club’s five sporting directors have been tasked with hiring a new gaffer, having made what was a mistake with Rosenior.
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Or is there a future with BlueCo at Chelsea?
Plenty of names have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. Eddie Howe, Marco Silva, Cesc Fabregas, Edin Terzic and possibly a sensational return for either Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea open talks to hire Andoni Iraola: The details
According to Football London’s Chelsea reporter Bobby Vincent, the Blues have now opened talks to hire Iraola. The Spaniard has already confirmed he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the campaign.
Indeed, Bournemouth have instantly brought in a replacement, hiring former Leipzig manager Marco Rose ahead of next season. Chelsea have looked to move ahead of Crystal Palace in the race for Iraola.
Recently, Alex Crook said that Iraola would prefer Chelsea to Palace. Now, Chelsea have opened a channel of dialogue between the club itself and Iraola’s representatives, but they are merely exploratory talks.
It is believed that Chelsea have opened contact to see Iraola’s stance and whether he would entertain a move to West London. To gather further information on where Iraola sees himself in the next few weeks.
Andoni Iraola could help Chelsea sign Marcos Senesi
Iraola has starred during his three years in the Premier League with Bournemouth. This season, there is still a chance that Iraola guides the Cherries into Europe before leaving the club before his departure.
Chelsea are said to want a gaffer with Premier League experience, having hired two managers without previous top-flight football under their belt in England as a manager, in Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
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Calum McFarlane is a big fan.
Iraola changes that. The Spaniard has more than 100 games under his belt as a Premier League boss. Not only that, Iraola helps Chelsea sign a long-term target in Marcos Senesi, who has regularly been linked.
Like Iraola, Senesi will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, with the Argentine’s contract due to expire in June. Hiring Iraola may help convince Senesi to choose Chelsea if the Blues move for him.
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