25 Apr 2026 14:04 BST |
4 min read
Chelsea are considering Porto boss Francesco Farioli for their vacant head coaching position, but the Italian tactician does not appear to be interested in taking the job.
The Blues are once more in the market for a new manager, following the sacking of Liam Rosenior after just 23 games in charge. Tuesday’s embarrassing 3-0 loss to Brighton was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as it was the club’s fifth consecutive Premier League defeat without scoring.
The 41-year-old’s disastrous spell has left Chelsea seventh in the table and at serious risk of missing out on the Champions League. For the second time this season, Calum McFarlane is in interim charge of the team. He will stay in this role for the remainder of the season.
A host of coaches have been linked with Chelsea since Rosenior’s departure. Among them is once again Porto boss Farioli, who was already associated with the position following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January.
The Italian has done a remarkable job at Porto. His side are seven points clear of Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten Benfica at the top of the Primeira Liga and should coast to the title.
Farioli still not keen on Chelsea
Back in January, Farioli made it clear that he had no interest in leaving Porto. He insisted that they were building something special and was visibly emotional when speaking about the trust he had received from club president (and former Chelsea manager) Andre Villas-Boas.
“Here in Porto, I truly believe that there is something more, something deeper, in terms of connection and relationship with the president and with the club,” he said at the time. “From my side, I am totally committed to the club and totally connected to the reality we are living in.
“Because maybe here for the first time in my life, I have the feeling that you can try to add something on top of a strong foundation, to build the first floor and keep building something over time.”
According to the print edition of A Bola, Farioli’s stance has not changed. He has no interest whatsoever in the Chelsea job at present, and it would require something truly special for him to change his tune.
Though he could be bought out of his Porto contract due to a release clause, any move would still require his consent. At this point, Farioli is unwilling to even entertain the thought of leaving the club, with his family feeling settled and appreciated in the city.
There is also a sporting element that informs his stance: Porto will be back in the Champions League next season, whereas Chelsea are at serious risk of missing out. Farioli will also be well aware that Stamford Bridge has become a managerial graveyard.
Staying at Porto and further enhancing his reputation is a much more attractive proposition than going to Chelsea and becoming the latest in a long list of managerial failures.
Related stories:
‘Free to go to Chelsea’ – Como president drops Fabregas bombshell
Ranking Chelsea’s 10 potential Liam Rosenior replacements
Transfer Rumours: Tonali makes Man Utd decision as ‘big’ offer ready
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
