Francesco Farioli was one of several head coaches linked with a move to Chelsea at the start of the year when Enzo Maresca stepped down.
Francesco Farioli has ruled himself out of the race to become the next Chelsea head coach. The Porto boss was briefly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge at the start of the year when Enzo Maresca stepped down, but the Blues appointed Liam Rosenior instead, who has since been sacked.
football.london understands that Chelsea shortlisted Farioli as a potential option, but the former Strasbourg boss was viewed as a more appropriate replacement, given his working relationship with BlueCo. Rosenior only lasted 106 days in the dugout, leaving Calum McFarlane in charge on a temporary basis.
It’s understood that the Chelsea owners are willing to take the necessary time before appointing the next gaffer, with the ownership group looking for someone who can help develop the young squad at Stamford Bridge. As it stands, it remains unclear who the Blues will go for, but Farioli has already ruled himself out of consideration.
Following Porto’s win over Estrela da Amadora on Sunday night, he committed his future to the Portuguese giants. Firstly, speaking to Sport TV, as quoted by A Bola, Farioli said: “I am the coach of FC Porto, and I am very happy to be here.”
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Then, in the post-match press conference, the Porto boss was asked whether he could assure supporters that he would stay. As quoted by A Bola, Farioli, who still has two years left on his contract at the Estádio do Dragão, said: “Yes, absolutely.”
The 37-year-old has led the Portuguese giants to the brink of a Liga Portugal title; their first since 2022. With just three games to go, Porto are seven points clear at the top of the table.
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If Farioli can get over the line, it will be his first major honour as a senior head coach. The Italian almost led Ajax to Eredivisie glory last season, but lost the title race to PSV Eindhoven by just a point.
McFarlane will also hope to win his first major trophy this season, having booked Chelsea a place in the FA Cup final. The Blues will lock horns with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 16.
Speaking to reporters following a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the semi-final, the interim Chelsea boss said: “Yeah, it was important to get the win. I’m not sure if it was in relation to an FA Cup final or a carrot.
“I think it was important to break the momentum and the form that we were in. And I thought we were confident that we would do that today, and I think that completely changes the feel within the group.
“I think that was probably more important and gives us confidence going into the next five games.”
McFarlane added: “We want to win every game for the fans, in every competition, and it’s unfortunately not worked out like that this year. But we want to win every single game from now to the end of the season, as you do in any season.
“But it’s not extra motivation. We want to do it for ourselves, we want to do it for the fans and the club, everyone. A massive competition in the FA Cup, historic, and we want to win the final and win every Premier League game remaining.”
