Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has suggested that a Chelsea legend is firmly in the running to replace Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea lay groundwork for next manager after Rosenior exit
The search for Chelsea’s next manager has now been running for three days, and will likely continue into the summer.
Solhekol laid the issue bare this week, and in doing so, introduced a name that will spark immediate debate among the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Calum McFarlane is holding the fort until the summer, and Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley offers the only remaining chance of salvaging something tangible from a campaign that started to fall apart before Rosenior was dismissed.
Andoni Iraola remains a favourite for the Chelsea job, with initial contact already made by the club, as per reports from France.
Marco Silva, Cesc Fàbregas, Filipe Luis, Oliver Glasner, Julian Nagelsmann, Diego Simeone are among the other names being circulated.
Each brings something different, and each will also be weighing up whether walking into Chelsea’s current structure is worth the risk.
Chelsea want ‘wildcard’ manager to replace Rosenior, but he’s waiting for Liverpool
The Blues have begun searching for yet another new boss.
Edin Terzić was mentioned as a potential candidate too, but he has now verbally agreed to join Athletic Club, and that deal is described as ‘done’ by Sky Germany.
Xabi Alonso is another who Chelsea would love to appoint, but the Spaniard is believed to prefer the Liverpool job if it becomes available at any point in the near future.
Now, as per Solhekol, the west Londoners could actually welcome back José Mourinho again.
José Mourinho ‘in the mix’ to become next Chelsea manager
Speaking on a live Sky broadcast, via Instagram, the journalist name dropped Mourinho as a contender for the role, saying he could be available this summer.
“One other name I’d just like to throw in the mix as well,” he said.
“Somebody who’s a Chelsea legend, who’s managed Chelsea on quite a few occasions before, and who may be available this summer as well.
“Let’s just throw his name in the mix as well — José Mourinho.”
The 63-year-old is currently in charge at Benfica, where he returned in September after leaving Fenerbahçe.
Mourinho’s contract in Lisbon runs until the end of next season, but contains a non-renewal option that could be triggered at the end of this campaign, potentially making him up for grabs.
His history with Chelsea is unmatched — two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups in his first spell, and a third title in his second stint before a disastrous defence of that crown ended with his sacking in December 2015.
The irony of his potential return is not lost.
Mourinho is precisely the kind of powerful, control-demanding figure that Solhekol warned Chelsea cannot accommodate under their current structure.
Whether that contradiction would stop either party from talking is another matter entirely.
Chelsea doing groundwork to appoint two-time title winner as Rosenior replacement
The Blues are ramping up their pursuit of a manager who plays “liquid” football.
