Xabi Alonso, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva are among the managers under consideration by Chelsea as they seek a fifth permanent appointment of the BlueCo era, the Press Association understands.
The club plan to take their time over choosing a replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last week, with a number of candidates currently under review.
It is understood a more experienced appointment is preferred following the failed experiment with Rosenior, who had never managed in the Premier League and had held only two senior posts.
Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola are under consideration by Chelsea (Steven Paston/PA)
No decision is expected before the end of the season, with first-team coach Calum McFarlane leading the side until then, but checks will take place on Alonso, Iraola and Silva, all of whom could be available at the end of the campaign.
Fulham boss Silva is out of contract at the end of the season and has not committed himself to staying at Craven Cottage, whilst Iraola confirmed earlier in April that he will leave Bournemouth next month.
Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso has not worked since being sacked by Real Madrid in January.
The 44-year-old has the strongest pedigree having won the Champions League twice as a player and led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season en route to being crowned champions in 2024.
Neither Silva nor Iraola have managed clubs in Europe’s top bracket but have impressed in the Premier League.
Iraola led Bournemouth to a ninth-placed finish last season, the club’s joint highest, and currently has them in contention for a first-ever European qualification.
Silva also has Fulham in the hunt for Europe having brought the club up from the Championship in 2022 and guided them to their best top-flight points tally last season.
Xabi Alonso has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in January (Brian Lawless/PA)
Neither of Chelsea’s last two appointments had managed in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca had just guided Leicester to the Championship title in his single season at the club, having previously worked with Manchester City’s Under-23 side and latterly as assistant to Pep Guardiola.
Rosenior’s experience comprised a season in charge of Hull in the Championship and 18 months at Strasbourg, with whom he qualified for the Conference League last season.
In announcing his sacking last week, a club statement said there would be “a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment”.
PA understands there is an acknowledgement internally that appointing such an inexperienced coach was a mistake and that a different direction is being pursued with their next choice of manager.