Chelsea to Contact Xabi Alonso as Managerial Shortlist Narrows to Three

Chelsea's management is set to contact three leading candidates for the managerial position. Andoni Iraola, who will depart Bournemouth at the end of the season, is considered a frontrunner for the Stamford Bridge job, with initial discussions already underway. More intriguingly, the Blues are also reportedly planning to communicate with Xabi Alonso's agents, according to "The Daily Telegraph." The Spaniard, sacked by Real Madrid in January, was heavily linked with Liverpool, but recent reports from Anfield suggest Arne Slot will be given the opportunity to lead the Merseyside club next season. With most UK media outlets converging on this information, Alonso's name is now being associated with Chelsea, and even Manchester United.

Interestingly, both Iraola and Alonso are represented by the same agency.

The third primary contender is Fulham manager Marco Silva.

Cesc Fàbregas, Filipe Luís, Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, and Mauricio Pochettino have fallen further down the management's preference list and are currently considered backup options.