
Jamie Carragher has dismissed Antonio Conte as a candidate for Chelsea's managerial position, instead praising Como coach Cesc Fabregas as a promising new talent in football.
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Carragher rules out Conte for Chelsea & hypes up Como coach Fabregas as âthe hot new thingâ
Jamie Carragher has ruled out Antonio Conte as a candidate to become the next Chelsea manager while identifying Como head coach Cesc Fabregas as one of the most exciting emerging coaches in football, as the Blues search for a permanent successor to interim manager Callum McFarlane.
According to comments made on Sky Sports, via the Standard, Carragher was unequivocal about several names on the shortlist.
âYou can probably rule out the bottom three, Mourinho, Lampard and Conte,â he said. âTheyâve all managed Chelsea before, so I donât see that. Fabregas does look like right now one of the new hot things in football, doing really well. Filipe Luis is doing really well, obviously had a spell at Chelsea as a player.â
Carragher ruled out Conte as a candidate for Chelsea's next manager based on his recent comments on Sky Sports.
Cesc Fabregas is the head coach of Como and is viewed by Carragher as an exciting emerging coach in football.
Chelsea is actively searching for a permanent successor to interim manager Callum McFarlane.

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NAPLES, ITALY â JANUARY 28: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, reacts from the technical area during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between SSC Napoli and Chelsea FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 28, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
Carragher reserved particular praise for Andoni Iraola before returning to the broader problem facing any incoming manager, a club he believes has been fundamentally damaged by its ownership.
âItâs shocking, and it comes from the top,â he said. âThere are five or six really top players on that pitch and theyâve just been beaten by Nottingham Forestâs B team. Less than 12 months ago they were taking PSG to the cleaners. This football club is broken.â
On the challenge of attracting players, he added: âIf I were a young player, why would I sign for Chelsea? Theyâd give me 12 months and if I wasnât amazing, theyâd buy another player in my place. How do you build a connection between players, fans and staff? Itâs not there.â
The context makes Fabregasâs candidacy all the more intriguing. The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder has impressed enormously in his first adventure as a top-flight manager, guiding Como to the brink of European qualification.
His connection to Chelsea, where he spent two seasons as a player, adds another layer to what would be a compelling appointment, and Carragherâs endorsement will only strengthen his standing as a frontrunner.