Chelsea 'in talks' to appoint Premier League manager as three-man shortlist revealed

Chelsea are in talks to appoint a current Premier League manager to replace Liam Rosenior and have shortlisted two other names, it has been reported.

Rosenior was sacked by the Blues earlier this month after a run of five consecutive defeats in which Chelsea failed to score a goal.

First-team coach Calum McFarlane has taken interim charge, for the second time this season, until the end of the campaign.

The 40-year-old's stay in charge will only be temporary, however, with Chelsea set to appoint a new manager.

According to football.london, the Blues have made an approach to Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who is set to leave his post at Dean Court in the summer after three years in charge.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with the soon-to-be vacant role at Athletic Bilbao, having come through their youth academy and spent 12 years with the first team as a player.

Andoni Iraola has spent three seasons in charge of Bournemouth (Image: Getty)

Sky Sports add that Fulham manager Marco Silva is also on the Blues' shortlist.

Silva is out of contract at Craven Cottage at the end of June and has yet to agree to an extension, though there is no indication as yet that he will leave the London club.

And the third and final name on the shortlist is former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso.

Alonso signed a three-year contract at the Bernabeu last summer but was sacked in January.

While clubs often cover manager salaries for the remainder of their contract after being sacked, it has been reported that Real are only paying Alonso until the end of this season.

That would effectively give Chelsea a free run at appointing the Spaniard, as long as they can fend off interest from other clubs.

Liverpool have been linked with bringing their former midfielder back to the club, but Arne Slot will reportedly keep his job if the Reds can qualify for next season's Champions League.

They currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League with five teams qualifying for Europe's top club competition, and are eight points clear of sixth-placed Brighton with four games to play.