Chelsea’s search for a new manager has begun following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, just 106 days into a six-year contract.
There was an immediate upturn for the Blues, who beat Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final under the guidance of caretaker Calum McFarlane.
But the priority now will be to find a permanent replacement for Rosenior, and one capable of lasting longer than a few months.
Silva on Chelsea's radar
Fulham manager Marco Silva is by now a well-established Premier League head coach, having had spells with Hull City, Watford and Everton before his move to Craven Cottage.
The Portuguese has done a particularly good job with Fulham, taking them to the Championship title in 2021/22 and then helping them become an established Premier League side, all while playing free-flowing attacking football.
It is no surprise, then, that Chelsea are interested in taking Silva from their neighbours, with his contract set to expire in the summer.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Silva is a 'genuine contender' for the Chelsea job, although the club are expected to 'speak to several managers' in a 'thorough process'.
Silva, 48, had spells with Sporting in Portugal and Greek giants Olympiacos prior to his move to England to join Hull in 2017.
Chelsea will hope his experience thus far translates well to a job that undoubtedly comes with more pressure and expectation.
But Silva is not the only candidate from a smaller Premier League club. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who confirmed earlier this month that he will leave at the end of the season, is also on Chelsea’s radar.
It remains to be seen where the Spaniard will go next, but a move to Stamford Bridge would certainly represent a step forward in his career.
Iraola has guided Bournemouth to a 14-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, the longest current run of any club in Europe’s top five divisions.
In FourFourTwo’s view, both Silva and Iraola would be sensible appointments on paper for Chelsea, with the former perhaps a slightly safer bet than the more tactically high-risk Bournemouth head coach.
