Andoni Iraola has emerged as a managerial target for both Chelsea and Manchester United, and fears over the Spaniard’s ability to manage a big club have now been addressed.
Chelsea and Man United are both scouring the market for a new manager. The Blues are keen to bring in a replacement for Liam Rosenior who boasts Premier League experience, and Iraola is high on the list.
BlueCo’s last two hires had never managed in the Premier League before joining Chelsea, while Michael Carrick remains in interim charge at Old Trafford. Plenty are pushing for Carrick to get the United job.
Andoni Iraola hasn’t beaten Clearlake’s Chelsea 🚩
While at Chelsea, Calum McFarlane will almost certainly return to the coaching staff after finishing the next five games as manager. The Telegraph report that Man United have joined Chelsea in eyeing Iraola.
People close to Iraola address Chelsea and Man United fears
It is believed Iraola favours a move to London, but TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook says Crystal Palace’s move to hire Iraola is likely to go unsuccessful with a move to Selhurst Park seen beneath the Bournemouth boss.
However, those of a Chelsea or a Man United persuasion might be concerned that Iraola has not taken on the pressure of managing a so-called big club. Pre-Bournemouth, he managed Rayo Vallecano in Spain.
Chelsea fans will attest to the need to bring in a manager who gets players on side, a manager with the aura and the standards that stop a player from stepping out of line. That was Rosenior’s biggest failing.
But, The Guardian say that those close to Iraola insist he is not simply a project manager. Indeed, he is keen to manage a club with a bigger stature, and he has plenty of ambition to make it work at the top.
Cesc Fabregas is a big fan of Chelsea target Andoni Iraola
For many fans, Cesc Fabregas would be their pick. The Como manager is on fire in Italy, as he approaches two years in the job. Champions League football remains a possibility for a side promoted in 2024.
Pros and cons of hiring Andoni Iraola?
He could replace Liam Rosenior at Chelsea this summer!
But if Chelsea don’t go for Fabregas, how about a manager advocated by Fabregas? Well, he has done that when it comes to Iraola. Speaking in 2024, he praised the soon-to-be departing Cherries manager.
“He communicates really well with the players, and he has a really good structure. I like the setup of his training session. He built it from a lower intensity to a higher one, and the concept he gave his players.”
Another reason to hire Iraola could be Chelsea’s pursuit of Bournemouth players like Marcos Senesi and Alex Scott. There are many upsides to hiring Iraola, while Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva remain options.
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