'I was told last night': Chelsea really like PL manager who's just signed new contract – journalist

The Argentine boss finished sixth in the Premier League and gelled together a young squad during one season with the Blues, but all parties have decided to separate before the summer starts.

Chelsea really like Premier League boss

HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey, who spoke exclusively to The Chelsea Chronicle on Wednesday, has shared that Chelsea are big fans of Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

Bailey has said that the Blues do like Iraola as they begin to search for Pochettino’s successor.

He said: “The one I was told last night. They do like Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth a lot. Obviously he’s just committed to them. He’s a fabulous talent, so it’s no surprise to see him linked.”

Iraola, who’s just 41, is admired by the Chelsea hierarchy following a successful season with Bournemouth, finishing 12th in the Premier League.

The Spanish boss has even been rewarded by signing a contract extension with the Cherries earlier in May.

Andoni Iraola a young manager on the rise

The 41-year-old is certainly a manager on the up, especially as his first year in English football has gone so well.

He was nominated on a five-man shortlist for Premier League Manager of the Season alongside Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp. Incidentally, Man City boss Guardiola did win the individual prize.

Bournemouth’s players adapted to the high-intensity style of Iraola during the course of the season.

Here are the Spaniard’s statistics in senior management so far:

Iroala’s CV is an interesting one because he’s yet to work at a giant club, but it does feel like a matter of time before the tactician makes that step.

So, will Chelsea decide to ramp up their interest in the Bournemouth man?