Two candidates head the market to become the next Chelsea manager.
Chelsea’s search for a new permanent manager has become one of the biggest storylines of the summer after a dramatic collapse in form under interim boss Calum McFarlane. Since Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Eve, Chelsea have spiralled down the Premier League table, winning just two league matches since the start of February and losing 13 times overall this season - more defeats than newly-promoted Leeds and Sunderland.
The mood around Stamford Bridge has turned toxic following Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, with Jamie Carragher branding Chelsea “a broken club” and supporters increasingly frustrated with the ownership structure, recruitment model and constant managerial turnover.
BlueCo are now preparing to appoint their sixth permanent manager since taking control of the club.
Next Chelsea Manager Odds
| Manager | Highest Odds |
|---|---|
| Andoni Iraola | 2/1 |
| Xabi Alonso | 3/1 |
| Filipe Luis | 8/1 |
| Xavi Hernandez | 10/1 |
| Marco Silva | 10/1 |
| Frank Lampard | 14/1 |
| Cesc Fabregas | 16/1 |
Click here to view the live odds.
Who is favourite to be the next Chelsea manager?
Alonso is understood to be highly admired internally after his impressive work managing elite dressing rooms at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. His reputation has soared over the past two seasons after transforming Leverkusen into Bundesliga title challengers while implementing an aggressive, modern tactical system built around possession and vertical attacking football.
Chelsea view Alonso as somebody capable of immediately commanding respect inside a fractured dressing room. Unlike some of the younger coaches linked with the role, Alonso already has experience handling pressure at clubs where expectations are relentless.
However, one issue continues to complicate Chelsea’s pursuit. Reports suggest Alonso has reservations about Chelsea’s structure and the amount of control ownership and sporting directors hold over transfers and squad planning. That concern is believed to be shared by several managerial candidates.
Andoni Iraola also remains highly regarded after Bournemouth’s remarkable campaign.
Bournemouth’s improvement under Iraola has been extraordinary. The Cherries are pushing for European qualification while playing some of the most intense football in the division. His side rank among the league’s strongest pressing teams and have consistently troubled elite opposition with their aggression and organisation.
His Bournemouth side are currently on a 15-game unbeaten streak - the longest current run of any side in Europe's top five league's.
Fabregas has also moved firmly into contention after an impressive rise at Como. His side currently sit 6th in the Serie A. His understanding of Chelsea as a club havng spent four and a half years there as a player also makes him an attractive option for BlueCo.
But appointing Fabregas would still represent another major gamble. Despite his growing reputation, he remains inexperienced at elite level management and would be walking into one of the most unstable environments in European football.
