Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has shared his thoughts on his former club’s search for a new permanent manager ahead of next season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The two-time European champions have now parted ways with two permanent managers this season, following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior last week, with Calum McFarlane stepping in on an interim basis until the end of the campaign.
Chelsea had earlier agreed to part ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day after their relationship broke down. However, Rosenior, who replaced the Italian, lasted less than four months after a poor run of results.
Things hit a new low when the Blues equalled an unwanted 114-year record, after they lost five straight Premier League matches without scoring, which ultimately led to Rosenior’s exit and has left the club in search of a third permanent manager in just a few months.
Mikel Obi questions Chelsea owners’ decision-making
Mikel Obi, who spent over a decade at Chelsea, did not hold back in his assessment of the club’s leadership since the BlueCo takeover in 2022. In that period, five different permanent managers have been dismissed, which has raised a lot of concerns over their ability to lead the club going forward.
Speaking during an episode of his Obi One Podcast, Mikel suggested that the current environment at Chelsea would discourage top managers from taking the job, especially given the lack of assurances over a long-term role.
“There is no top manager that will want to come to Chelsea right now and takeover this job because you never know. You have absolutely zero idea what’s happening. We need a manager, not a coach. We’ve been successful in the past because we had managers”, Mikel Obi said.
“We had managers that would come in and manage everything, manage what happens on the pitch and outside the pitch. Someone who will be like ‘this is my football club and I’m gonna manage everything’.
“They are not going to do that, they will never in a million years allow that to happen, so what we’re gonna get is another yes-man.”
Thoughts on Andoni Iraola
Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola has been heavily linked with the role and is reportedly a leading candidate, especially after announcing that he would leave the Cherries when his contract expires at the end of the season.
While Mikel acknowledges Iraola’s quality and Premier League experience, he raised concerns about whether he would suit Chelsea’s current approach.
“Andoni Iraola for me, I’m 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”, the former Nigerian captain added.
Verdict on Cesc Fàbregas
Mikel Obi also praised the work of his former teammate Cesc Fàbregas at Italian club Como, but believes the Chelsea job may come too soon for the Spaniard.
“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 backs Filipe Luís for Chelsea job
Despite his reservations about Iraola and Fàbregas, Mikel believes another ex-teammate Filipe Luís stands out as the best option to take over at the club as Rosenior’s replacement.
Although the Brazilian’s managerial experience has so far been limited to his time at Flamengo, Mikel is impressed by the identity and structure he implemented during his time at the club.
“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.
Chelsea’s search for a new head coach continues for now although the club’s focus will now shift to the FA Cup final on May 16, where they face Manchester City, hoping to salvage something after a difficult season.
