It now looks very much like Xabi Alonso will take over as Chelsea manager this summer. Which is quite something.
Chelsea have sacked Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane has taken interim charge for the second time this season and has at least immediately ended the grim losing run. For about five minutes.
But who will accept the poisoned chalice from BlueCo this summer?
Here are the latest favourites according to Oddschecker…
8=) Various outsiders for the Chelsea job
Julian Nagelsmann, Diego Simeone, Luis Enrique and Xavi Hernandez all come in at 25/1.
6=) Frank Lampard
“Do you think if Frank Lampard gets promotion with Coventry they could go back in for Frank? He got the job too early the first time I think and he had the transfer embargo so he had to use a lot of young players,” said Nicky Butt recently. “It wouldn’t be a stupid thing to go and get Frank Lampard back in charge of Chelsea for me. He’s done a great job at Coventry.”
Somebody has forgotten that he has already been back for a second time. And it was rotten.
6=) Cesc Fabregas
‘Fabregas is the name in the frame for the bigger picture’ at Chelsea, according to one report. He ticks the ex-player box, has done genuinely good things at Como and is a big enough name to act as an antidote to the Rosenior reign. But of course we always thought he would rock up at Arsenal.
5) Oliver Glasner
Always seems to be on these lists but never at the top. Which might mean he ends up going back to Germany, never to be seen on these shores again.
4) Marco Silva
A sensible option but we have a feeling that Chelsea will not take the sensible option. And if Silva does eventually leave Fulham – and he really shouldn’t – we have a feeling he will be pulled towards Nottingham Forest as one of the few coaches who knows how to deal with their toxic owner.
3) Filipe Luis
He’s a former Chelsea player and he is available, having been sacked by Flamengo despite winning the Copa Libertadores last year. He had previously called them “probably the most demanding club on earth” so he may well find Chelsea a breeze.
2) Andoni Iraola
We thought the Chelsea move was a no-brainer but then we thought about it some more, listened, and now we understand that he might turn up at Crystal Palace and enjoy the patience there.
1) Xabi Alonso
Said by some to be on a three-man initial list along with Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola. With Liverpool likely to stick with Arne Slot at least until partway through a difficult third season, Alonso might see Chelsea as his best option. Clue: It’s not.
