Chelsea risk repeating a huge mistake if Porto's Francesco Farioli is selected as the club's next head coach over Liam Rosenior. The latter, who is in charge of the Blues' sister-club Strasbourg, is currently the favourite to replace Enzo Maresca after his shock departure on New Year's Day.
Bournemouth head coach Oliver Glasner and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, alongside Zinedine Zidane and Xavi have been mooted, but it seems as though there are only two concrete candidates. Given his already existing relationship with the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior tops the odds.
However, Farioli follows closely and for good reason with Porto currently sitting top of the Primeira Liga, four points clear of Sporting CP and yet to lose domestically. The Portuguese leaders are also in the top eight of the Europa League standings.
Thankfully for Porto, they appear far less likely to lose their head coach to a bigger club. That is because, as revealed by the Telegraph, he has a £13million buyout clause in his contract that would need to be activated for him to join Chelsea.
However, that scenario playing out looks highly unlikely with Farioli recently speaking on links to Chelsea.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, he said: “I am staying at FC Porto, sure. There is no doubt - and there has never been any doubt - about that. For me leaving in the middle of a process has never been a topic. I am totally committed to the club."
As for Rosenior, he would theoretically not cost a penny and the former Hull boss appears very open to the vacancy at Stamford Bridge.
"I'm going to talk about Nice because that's my job," he began, referencing Strasbourg's next game, when asked about links to west London.
"There's a lot of noise, a lot of speculation, but as a coach, if you get involved in that, you fail. My job is here, I love this club.
"I haven't spoken to the players about it. There's no need, they're connected and I've had a few light-hearted jokes. But we've been focused on our work. The goal is to continue creating great things here.
"In life, there are zero guarantees. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I'm just doing my job. There's already been speculation.
"I don't want to guarantee how long I'll be here, but I enjoy myself here every day. I intend to continue doing so as long as I'm here. I love this club, but I can't guarantee anything. Nobody can."
Rosenior also said: "I want to do my job here, it's simple. The reality today is that I am the manager of Strasbourg and I am focused on my position.
"There are exchanges because we are part of the same group. I'm honest, you can never control everything in life. I could say I'm going to stay here for years and then get fired."
In the meantime, Chelsea will be led by under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane for their Premier League clash against Manchester City.
