Andoni Iraola has been confirmed as keen on becoming the next Chelsea manager, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealing that the outgoing Bournemouth head coach would welcome the opportunity to take charge at Stamford Bridge following Liam Rosenior's dismissal this week.
Iraola, 43, announced last month that he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, with former RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose already confirmed as his successor at the Vitality Stadium. That decision to depart has opened the door to a move to one of England's biggest clubs, and Chelsea's vacancy is now understood to be of genuine interest to the Basque manager.
Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, said:
"Iraola, to my understanding, would be more than happy to continue in the Premier. Iraola would be keen on the possibility of becoming the new Chelsea manager. But at the moment Chelsea are still in the early stages. They want to take their time and decide who is the ideal candidate. Still nothing advanced, still nothing done with Andoni Iraola."
Why Iraola fits the Chelsea profile
Iraola has led Bournemouth to Premier League finishes of 12th and 9th in his first two seasons, and is pushing for European qualification in his third — an extraordinary achievement with a club of Bournemouth's resources.
His high-intensity, pressing-based approach is seen by some within the game as exactly what a Chelsea side that has been "outrun in every single Premier League game this season" requires.
Romano also moved to cool speculation around Cesc Fabregas, confirming the Como boss is "very happy" at his current club and is already planning for next season — making his appointment at Chelsea unlikely without a significant change of heart.
