Chelsea have held promising early talks with Xabi Alonso regarding a potential appointment, but the club is also closely monitoring Andoni Iraola’s situation as they continue their search for a permanent head coach.
The west London club is maintaining flexibility, with Alonso and Iraola rising as the top contenders for the position. Nonetheless, several other managers remain in consideration, and Chelsea are not anticipated to make a quick decision.
Sources indicate that Chelsea have also explored options including Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, and former Flamengo manager Filipe Luís. Silva is due to become a free agent at the end of the season, while Glasner is expected to leave Palace after the Conference League final later this month.
After dismissing Liam Rosenior last month, Calum McFarlane was appointed as interim head coach for the remainder of the campaign. Chelsea’s leadership is confident in securing their top target, with initial discussions with Alonso’s representatives progressing well. The 44-year-old, who earned acclaim as one of Europe’s finest young coaches after winning the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, has been without a role since leaving Real Madrid earlier this season. He has been on Chelsea’s radar for at least three years.
Insiders at Chelsea believe Alonso’s tactical approach would align well with their youthful squad, and his reputation within the sport would aid in managing the dressing room and attracting talent. The main unknown is whether Alonso