Andoni Iraola is reportedly "keen" on becoming Chelsea boss after Liam Rosenior’s exit, says Fabrizio Romano. The AFC Bournemouth manager, set to leave in June, is "open" to staying in the Premier League, though talks remain at an early stage.
AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is "keen" to become the new Chelsea manager following Liam Rosenior’s sacking, journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
Bocombe's Basque boss is reportedly "open to the idea" of taking the Stamford Bridge hot seat once his contract with Cherries ends at the end of the season.
Two weeks ago, Iraola confirmed that he will be departing the Cherries in June, with former RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose already announced as his replacement.
Chelsea sacked Rosenior earlier this week following their 3-0 defeat to Brighton, with Under-21s head coach Callum McFarlane replacing him until the end of the campaign.
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, revealed that Iraola would be "happy" to continue in the Premier League following his Bournemouth exit.
“Iraola, to my understanding, would be more than happy to continue in the Premier League. He would be keen on the possibility of becoming the new Chelsea manager. But at the moment from Chelsea are still in early stages. Chelsea want to take their time and decide who is the ideal candidate. Still nothing advanced, still nothing done with Andoni Iraola.”
Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsThe situation is perhaps different to how many Cherries fans expected things to play out, given given that Edin Terzic, who ironically had strong links to the vacancy at Chelsea, appears set to take over as Athletic Bilbao’s head coach this summer - a job that many were convinced was destined for Iraola.
Amid links with other Premier League sides, Iraola turned down several offers to extend his stay at Bournemouth, who have flourished under the Spaniard during his three seasons at the club.
The manager has led the Cherries to Premier League finishes of 12th and 9th in his first two seasons and is battling for European qualification this term - showing advancement in every campaign.
With four games remaining, Cherries are sitting seventh in the league table, one point above Chelsea in eighth.
REUTERS/Scott Heppell The south coast side have not tasted defeat since the beginning of January, going unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League games - ironically, since star talisman Antoine Semenyo departed.
Chelsea, who will be competing this season's FA Cup final after beating Leeds United on Sunday, will undoubtedly be keen to steady their ship after parting ways with Liam Rosenior.
The 41-year-old was brought in from sister club Strasbourg in January following Enzo Maresca’s exit despite having zero Premier League experience. Indeed their past two permanent managers have been given the job without Premier League experience, and Chelsea have hinted at a change in strategy in terms of their next manager, saying the ownership will have a period of "self-reflection" before making a decision.
Could Andoni be their man? And indeed, what would Bournemouth fans make of it?