Chelsea's Managerial Hunt: Xabi Alonso Emerges as Betting Favourite After Rosenior Exit

Chelsea have shown Liam Rosenior the door, leaving Calum McFarlane to pick up the pieces as interim boss for the second time this campaign. He's at least managed to arrest the recent torrent of defeats—albeit temporarily.

The question now: who'll dare take on the Chelsea job this summer?

The Outsiders

Julian Nagelsmann, Diego Simeone, Luis Enrique and Xavi Hernandez are all priced at 25/1 to fill the vacancy.

Frank Lampard (6/1)

Nicky Butt recently floated the idea of a Frank Lampard return, suggesting that if Coventry earn promotion, Chelsea might fancy bringing him back for a second spell. "He got the job too early the first time and had the transfer embargo to contend with," Butt reasoned. "It wouldn't be daft to have him back."

Except Lampard has already returned once before. That didn't go particularly well.

Cesc Fabregas (6/1)

Reports suggest Fabregas is in the frame at Chelsea. The former player has earned genuine plaudits during his spell at Como and carries the sort of pedigree that could help wash away the Rosenior stain. Though there's always been an assumption he'd eventually pitch up at Arsenal instead.

Oliver Glasner (5/1)

The Austrian keeps cropping up on these lists but rarely at the top. Chances are he'll end up heading back to Germany and disappearing from English football altogether.

Marco Silva (4/1)

On paper, Silva looks a sensible appointment. The trouble is Chelsea rarely do sensible. Should he depart Fulham—though he really shouldn't—we'd wager he gets tempted by Nottingham Forest instead, being one of the few managers capable of navigating their notoriously difficult ownership.

Filipe Luis (3/1)

The former Chelsea defender is available after being sacked by Flamengo, despite winning the Copa Libertadores last season. He once described Flamengo as "probably the most demanding club on earth," which rather suggests Chelsea might feel comparatively straightforward by comparison.

Andoni Iraola (2/1)

We initially thought the Chelsea vacancy screamed Iraola. Then we had a rethink, listened to the chatter, and now reckon he's more likely to rock up at Crystal Palace, where he'd enjoy the sort of patience that's distinctly absent at Stamford Bridge.

Xabi Alonso (1/1)

Alonso tops the betting, with reports suggesting he's on a three-man shortlist alongside Silva and Iraola. With Liverpool seemingly committed to Arne Slot through at least the early stages of what promises to be a demanding third season, Alonso might view Chelsea as his pathway into the Premier League. Though spoiler alert: it really isn't.