The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new permanent head coach following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior with Andoni Iraola one of the multiple names under consideration
Chelsea have made initial contact with Andoni Iraola’s representatives over the vacant head coach role at Stamford Bridge, football.london understands.
Following Liam Rosenior’s dismissal last week, when his short tenure came to end after less than four months, the Blues have begun the process of sourcing his permanent successor. Sources say no appointment will be made until the end of the season, with interim head coach Calum McFarlane taking the reins for the final five matches of the campaign.
However, Chelsea’s five-strong group of sporting directors are working behind the scenes ahead of a summer appointment. Iraola is one of several options under consideration, with the Spaniard departing Bournemouth at the end of the season, stating he believed it will prove the “right moment to step away”.
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Chelsea have contacted Iraola’s representatives, sources say, to find out more about his plans in the summer as he looks for a new job. The conversation was not advanced and the subject of the chat was to gather more information about the Spaniard’s thinking at this moment in time.
Iraola, unsurprisingly, refused to be drawn on speculation over his future when asked about the Chelsea job last week.
The 43-year-old has been with the Cherries for three seasons and has established a stellar reputation for the job he has done since moving to the Premier League. Iraola guided Bournemouth to 12th place in his debut term at the Vitality Stadium but managed a ninth-place finish the following campaign, with the Cherries on course to conclude the current season in a higher position despite losing a host of key players last in summer’s transfer window.
While Chelsea are interested in Iraola, the west London club will not rush this process as BlueCo, the consortium in charge of the Blues, search for the right person to spearhead their ambitious long-term project at Stamford Bridge.
