While Chelsea confirmed news of Liam Rosenior's sacking earlier this week, their statement admitted they were undertaking a “deliberative process” to make the right long-term appointment. And to say that it is necessary would be a gross understatement.
The West London club have become the most unpredictable side in the Premier League for all the wrong reasons. After spending nearly £2bn on acquisitions since his arrival, BlueCo have gone through seven different managers and failed to finish higher than fourth in three full seasons.
At some point, even Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali will start to wonder if the manager is the problem or if it's better to hold that “self-interest” to themselves.
Who can replace Rosenior at Chelsea
Right now, BlueCo can walk into a room full of executives and ask who's next, before watching those executives spend minutes avoiding eye contact.
Chelsea's job is the definition of a poisoned container, which has led to the death of manager after manager, regardless of reputation or opportunities.
Boehly's project looked as promising as one of his A24 films when it first arrived. He was definitely ready to splash the cash.
The troubling difference between Marty Supreme and Chelsea, however, is that Timothy Chalamet proved to be a worthy investment. The Hollywood story looks like a disaster that everyone would like to forget.
Unsurprisingly, Boehly knows films more than he knows Premier League football and it has taken Chelsea to a whole new level. But, despite all that, there is still time for a successful third act if those in West London get their next appointment right.
For that, several names have been mentioned. Reports suggest that Cesc Fabregas could be among the candidates this summer after a good performance at Como, while Fulham's Marco Silva has also been mentioned.
With Andoni Iraola set to become a free agent at the end of the season, however, the Bournemouth manager could be a very interesting name to watch.
According to RMC Sport, Chelsea have already opened negotiations to sign Iraola as they look to finally turn things around at Stamford Bridge.
Why Iraola could be Chelsea's Arteta
When Mikel Arteta arrived at Arsenal, he managed a team that was fighting for the Champions League and during an era that focused on forgettable moments.
Since then, he has put them in contention for the Premier League title and the semi-finals of the Champions League. It has been an impressive transformation.
Now, although Chelsea's current situation is nowhere near catastrophic at this stage, they could hire Iraola to do the same.
Dubbed “the best young coach in the world” by Sam Tighe of Sky Sports, the Bournemouth boss is a striking reminder of the version of Arteta who first entered Arsenal's career.
A version that played free-flowing attacking football, thrived with young stars such as Bukayo Saka, and initially struggled against Manchester City.
Chelsea are in touch with a new 'top' manager who twice turned down Crystal Palace
Blues seem to focus on him.
The Cherries are one of the most attacking teams in the Premier League. They are not giving up on any club, be it Man City or, as has been proven recently, Arteta's Arsenal.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have not scored in their last five games. They need a manager who will come from the new England tradition, who has built a reputation for getting the best out of a young team. That makes Iraola a good choice.
Iraola could also take a few things from Arteta's playbook. His 4-2-3-1 setup is already similar to his 4-3-3 Arsenal setup, especially when he presses in the diamond shape, and it would benefit Chelsea to hire someone like this.
Having grown up together in the Basque country, Arteta and Iraola could face each other in the London derby next season.
