Glen Johnson names manager who will instantly earn ‘respect’ of Chelsea players | Football

Former Chelsea star Glen Johnson believes Cesc Fabregas would immediately earn the respect of the dressing room if given the job at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are searching for their sixth permanent manager in four years after parting ways with Liam Rosenior in April.

Andoni Iraola is among the names under consideration in west London with the Spaniard set to leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Barcelona legend Xavi has also emerged as a candidate – a free agent having not returned to the dugout since stepping down as head coach at the Camp Nou in 2024.

Former Blues midfielder Fabregas has also been strongly linked with the job. After three years with Barcelona, the former Arsenal captain returned to the Premier League in 2014, winning two Premier League titles with Chelsea.

The 38-year-old is now building a formidable reputation Italy with Como where his coaching career began just two years ago. The Serie A side are on course to qualify for Europe in what is just their second season in the Italian top flight with Fabregas central to the project.

After years of managerial upheaval, former Chelsea full-back Johnson believes the club now must stand by their next appointment for at least 18 months, something only Enzo Maresca and Thomas Tuchel have managed under the BlueCo regime. Neither made it to two years.

Chelsea have turned to experienced winners like Tuchel and highly-rated young coaches like Graham Potter and Rosenior with neither approach yielding long-term success.

Fabregas would represent an appointment from the latter category but after a hugely decorated career at club and international level, Johnson believes his presence would instantly win over the squad.

‘Chelsea have had both [types of manager],’ Johnson told Metro via BetMGM. ‘An experienced manager who won everything? They sacked them. Young, promising managers? Sacked them too.

‘I don’t think it is a specific profile they are after, they only care about winning. Whoever it is needs time to turn it around and win.

‘Both Iraola and Fabregas have credentials, having Premier League experience as a manager is huge whereas Cesc knows the club a lot better and as a former player, would definitely get the players’ respect.

‘I just want them to give someone 18 months, let the dust settle and let them play the way they want to play.’

Johnson continued: ‘The club need to decide what direction they are going in and stick with it no matter how it goes, good or bad, for 18 months.

‘It is ridiculous how many managers they have had and it does upset the players. The players are professional, you just want to do your job on the pitch and let everyone else worry about off the field stuff.

‘They will be working hard in training towards a manager’s philosophy and then a month later they will be gone and a new manager comes in and changes it all around with a new staff.

‘The whole club needs momentum. There aren’t many managers that come in and are successful from day one.’

MORE: PSG or Bayern Munich? Martin Keown names who he wants Arsenal to play in Champions League final

MORE: Casemiro reveals why he will not stay at Manchester United for one more season

MORE: Wesley Sneijder blasts £50m Arsenal star after reaching Champions League final