Chelsea have been handed a remarkable piece of advice as they continue their hunt for a new permanent manager, with former Blues star Joe Cole suggesting the club should make a daring move for Jurgen Klopp.
The Stamford Bridge side are on the lookout for a successor to Enzo Maresca, whose departure was confirmed on New Year's Day. While Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior is considered an early front-runner for the vacancy, Cole has proposed a far more ambitious and controversial target.
Cole's 'Mental' Suggestion for Chelsea
Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole did not hold back when naming his ideal candidate. "I know it’s a mental one but Jurgen Klopp," Cole stated, acknowledging the obvious hurdle. "I know he probably won’t even consider it because it’s Chelsea and he’s Liverpool, but you just never know."
The ex-England winger argued that Chelsea's primary goal should dictate their actions. "If your main aim as a football club is to win trophies and you have the money, you go and speak to the top, top boys," he asserted. He described the idea as "pie in the sky" but insisted that aiming high was preferable to constantly trying to develop the next promising coach, a strategy he implied had failed with Maresca.
The Major Obstacle: Klopp's Liverpool Loyalty
Cole's suggestion faces a seemingly insurmountable barrier: Klopp's profound connection to Liverpool. The German tactician left Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season and has not returned to management since, instead taking up a role as Red Bull's head of global soccer in January 2025.
More importantly, Klopp has been unequivocal about never managing another English club. Upon announcing his Liverpool exit in January 2024, he declared: "What I know definitely – I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool, 100 per cent. That’s not possible. My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldn't."
He recently reaffirmed this stance in an interview, stating a return to coaching in England would only be with Liverpool, and that he does not currently miss day-to-day management.
Rosenior Remains a Strong Contender
While floating the sensational Klopp idea, Cole also spoke highly of the more realistic candidate, Liam Rosenior. He praised the former defender's football obsession and profile, noting he "fits the bill in terms of where Chelsea have gone with their last few managers, young and something to prove."
Chelsea's search continues with this stark contrast in potential paths: a pragmatic appointment of a promising young manager like Rosenior, or a seismic, unlikely pursuit of a Premier League legend whose allegiances lie firmly elsewhere. The latter, while almost certainly doomed, illustrates the scale of ambition some believe the club should exhibit.
