Overview
- Chelsea held talks with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they intensified the hunt for a permanent head coach, according to Goal.
- Xabi Alonso is reported as the owners’ preferred choice and is open to the job, with no agreement reached yet.
- The shortlist features Alonso, Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva, with Iraola set to be available after this season and Silva admired but tied to a strong offer to stay.
- Reports say the club aims to appoint by mid-June and plans to give the new manager a bigger say on signings after past disputes over recruitment.
- Calum McFarlane remains interim after Liam Rosenior’s April exit, and the club faces near-term decisions with an FA Cup final and a summer rebuild on the horizon.