AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is now “ahead” of former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso for the position of Chelsea manager.
Chelsea still searching for Liam Rosenior replacement
Liam Rosenior was appointed despite having limited experience in management, and the Englishman was sacked last month, after a disastrous run of five Premier League defeats on the spin, during which time the Blues didn’t manage to score a single goal.
Alonso, on the other hand, led Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title and DFB Pokal double in his second season in charge of the German club, before taking the reins at Madrid, albeit he was unable to last the full season.
As such, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has suggested the Spaniard could be a shrewd appointment for the west Londoners, saying:
“The person I would go for would be Xabi Alonso. I think just from the career he’s had as a player, all the massive clubs he’s played for, he’s managed Real Madrid as well.
“He was forced out by the Real Madrid dressing room, but it’s different level of dressing room, even to Chelsea’s, and I think he would immediately command the respect of the Chelsea players. And tactically, I think he’d be brilliant.”
Xabi Alonso’s record as Real Madrid manager
- 34 matches played
- 24 wins
- 4 draws
- 6 defeats
- 2.24 points per match
The appointment of the former Liverpool midfielder would make sense, given what he’s done in management thus far, and there is an interest on the Blues’ behalf.
Iraola ahead of Alonso to become new Chelsea manager
However, Iraola, who is set to leave AFC Bournemouth at the end of the season, has more chance of landing the job, according to Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness, in an interview with Football Insider.
“Iraola is probably just slightly ahead right now. But don’t be surprised to see Alonso considered, if Iraola’s demands aren’t quite what they’re hoping. They’re obviously trying to create an auction for the job in some way.
“What will be interesting was where Rosenior had a break clause at the end of the season which restricted his payout, I think the next manager coming in will demand at least two years.
“This has got consequences for their previous actions for these owners, and somebody coming in will be in a much stronger position to demand the sort of deal they want. So we’ll see who takes it, but they’ll be very well rewarded.”
The Spaniard, who prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, has the Cherries pushing for Europa League qualification, with his side moving up to sixth in the Premier League table following a 3-0 rout of Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Agent and scout Adereti Adesoji lauded the 43-year-old for the “insane” job he was doing earlier this season, and even branded him as a “mastermind.”
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