Former Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi has given his verdict on who he thinks should become the next permanent manager of Premier League side Chelsea.
The Blues are searching for another permanent manager to lead the club next season after Liam Rosenior was sacked last week. The dismissal had been coming as the West London club had suffered from a poor run of form, during which they lost five consecutive Premier League matches without scoring a goal for the first time since 1912.
Rosenior had been appointed after Enzo Maresca was controversially dismissed on New Year’s Day and the owners have now had to pay for their mistake by sacking a second head coach this season.
Since BlueCo took over as new owners in 2022, they have now sacked five permanent managers – Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca and now Rosenior.
The two-time Champions League winners now head into the summer looking for a new figure in charge of the club, with Calum McFarlane staying in charge until the end of the season.
Mikel Obi reveals Filipe Luis as preferred option for Chelsea job
Speaking during an episode on his Obi One Podcast, former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi revealed his stance on who should be the club’s permanent manager for next season.
Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth and Cesc Fabregas of Como have both been linked with the role in the past week, but Mikel is of the opinion that Filipe Luis ticks all the boxes given the great work he did while he was in charge of Brazilian side Flamengo.
“I think for me, it’d be too early for Fabregas. I like Fabregas and we can all see the success he’s having with Como in the Italian league, but I think it’s a bit too early. Give him a couple more seasons to establish himself and gain more experience”, Mikel Obi said.
“Andoni Iraola for me. Im not saying he’s a yes-man, but he’s a guy that does not want to get involved with who comes in and who goes out. He just wants to get on with what happens on the football pitch which is coaching. They will sign the players and he’s going to coach the players.
“On Filipe Luis, he is a fantastic manager and his team played fantastic football in the Club World Cup and had an objective of how they wanted to play. There was a clear structure, playing with purpose, that’s how you know someone can become a top manager.
“Maybe he doesn’t have the experience right now, but from the job he did with Flamengo and the way his team plays, there is something to be excited about. There’s an expectation of what you feel you can achieve and that’s what I like about Filipe Luis. Maybe it’s too early, but of all the three managers mentioned, if they go with any of them, I’ll probably say Filipe Luis”, Mikel Obi concluded.
For now, McFarlane remains in charge of the club and will lead them for the final few games of the season until a new permanent manager is appointed to take over for next season.
