FC Porto manager Francesco Farioli has stated that he will not leave the Portuguese giants to join Chelsea this summer.
The Blues are looking for a new head coach following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, and the impressive Italian tactician is reportedly one of the names on their shortlist.
However, Farioli announced that he will continue with Porto next season following an outstanding debut campaign.
Considering that Porto are leading the Primeira Liga table and desperate to stave off the challenge of Benfica and Sporting CP, Farioli could not afford to say anything different.
If Chelsea settle for him after their search for a new permanent manager, he might reconsider his stance.
The 37-year-old caught the eye with his remarkable work at OGC Nice in France, where he made Les Aiglons a formidable force.
He also rebuilt a struggling and amateurish Ajax squad, turning them into title contenders, even though he is most remembered for the capitulation that saw PSV Eindhoven seal the title.
Farioli joined Porto last summer and has them atop the Primeira Liga, where they are seven points clear with three games to go.
One thing Farioli has going for him is his ability to coach a defence. His team has the stingiest defence in the Portuguese top flight, a league where Jose Mourinho coaches Benfica.
Farioli’s Nice and Ajax teams were also defensively sturdy. He can help shore up Chelsea’s leaky backline and make the club a reputable institution once again.
He should be one of the top names on the Chelsea shortlist and certainly seems a better fit than Andoni Iraola, whose name simply won’t go away.
Farioli’s European exposure, stylistic fit, and well-structured game model should have Chelsea’s sporting directors at the front of the queue for his signature. It remains to be seen if they will look beyond their nose.
Their penchant for poor decision-making could see them hire another dud when, in fact, the Blues should be working through a small shortlist of Farioli, Cesc Fabregas, and Xabi Alonso.
Any other names do not measure up.
