Chelsea are searching for a new manager in time for the 2026-27 season.
The Blues are heading in a new direction following their decision to sack Liam Rosenior after just 104 days in charge.
The 41-year-old's recent departure has left the manager's spot vacant and several names are linked with succeeding him.
Xabi Alonso is arguably the most high profile manager currently out of the work. The Spaniard has been available since he left Real Madrid at the start of the year.
Despite Chelsea's appreciation of the 44-year-old, there has been little-to-no contact which suggests other candidates are higher on BlueCo's list.
Like Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola has already confirmed he's leaving his position at the end of the season. The pair are set to make immediate returns to the dugout and both could find themselves at Stamford Bridge.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Andoni Iraola wants to stay in the Premier League
Like Alonso, Iraola, also Spanish, is one of Europe's most highly rated young coaches.
The 43-year-old has done a remarkable job during his three years with the Cherries. Not only has he been able to seamlessly replace some big departures, including Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, but he's done so while guiding the team to within touching distance of European qualification.
And, according to Fabrizio Romano, who spoke on his YouTube channel, after proving himself in England's top-flight, Andoni has rejected the chance to work overseas because he wants his next job to be at another Premier League club.
"I can also tell you Iraola rejected an approach from a club outside of England a few days ago. It was last week, because he wants to continue in England. His desire is to continue in England."
Romano hasn't revealed which club has tried to hire to Iraola but it comes as little surprise to hear he's attracting interest in and around Europe.
Hard to know where Iraola will go next
As things stand, after Bournemouth moved quickly to name Marco Rose as Iraola's successor, Crystal Palace and Chelsea are the only two clubs actively seeking a new manager.
Of course, that is likely to change at the end of the season when the manager merry-go-round really takes off, especially with so much still up for grabs at both ends of the table.
However, if BlueCo are serious about landing Iraola, with the Eagles their only real competition at the moment, it seems hard to imagine the former Rayo Vallecano boss would choose Selhurst Park over Stamford Bridge.
During his time on the south coast, Iraola has averaged 1.44 points from the 125 games he's overseen.
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