Chelsea handed Xabi Alonso boost as shortlist revealed after historic Liverpool admission

Xabi Alonso is one of the multiple names on Chelsea’s shortlist to become the new permanent head coach but the former Liverpool midfielder has also been linked with a return to Anfield

As soon as Xabi Alonso departed Real Madrid, after just eight months in the Spanish capital, back in January, pretty much everyone had the same idea. Alonso to Liverpool.

The former Reds midfielder has “dreamt” of one day managing the Anfield-based club, as he said in 2018: “Yes, for sure, I have dreamt of that (taking charge of Liverpool), but first I have to prove myself and prepare.

“If I decide somewhere along the way to take my chances as a manager, my link, my commitment, my passion with Liverpool is there. Why not? We will see if we can cross paths in our ways.”

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When Jurgen Klopp shockingly announced he would depart Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season, the obvious replacement was Alonso. Liverpool tried, but the former Spain international, who spent five years with the Reds as a player, is said to have turned down taking over from Klopp.

In came Arne Slot and the Dutchman made a dream start to life as Liverpool head coach. In his debut season with the club, Slot led Liverpool to a 20th English top-flight title and wrote his name into the history books forever.

This season, though, hasn’t been as smooth for Slot. With four matches of the league campaign remaining, Slot’s team are in fourth-place; some 15 points adrift of table-topping Arsenal. Liverpool will finish the season trophy-less.

Whenever that happens at Anfield, the manager will come under at least a bit of pressure. Some supporters are calling for Slot to leave his post at the end of the season and Alonso seems the most popular choice to replace him.

Reports, however, from multiple journalists who cover Liverpool claim Slot’s job is safe and the Dutchman retains full support from the club’s board. What does that mean for Chelsea? Well, it’s surely a boost.

The Blues have recently started the process to appoint Liam Rosenior ‘s permanent successor following the 41-year-old’s departure last week. After less than four months at the helm, BlueCo parted company with Rosenior and appointed Calum McFarlane as interim head coach until the end of the season.

McFarlane has taken the reins, starting with a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United on Sunday, for the second time this term and will lead the squad while the club work behind the scenes to source a permanent solution. Chelsea, sources say, will not rush this process and are determined to get it right after a catalogue of mistakes when it comes to their previous appointments.

Alonso is one of the managers currently under review, with the club’s five-strong team of sporting directors leading the process. Andoni Iraola, who will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, and Marco Silva, whose future at Fulham is uncertain, are on the shortlist with Alonso. There are multiple unnamed candidates also being looked at in the process, football.london understands.

At the time of writing, nothing is advanced with any candidate as Chelsea adopt a more careful and considered approach this time around. In most supporters’ minds, particularly online, Alonso seems the most popular.

Even though his time in Madrid didn’t go too well, people still – rightly – remember the sensational job he did with Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso and Leverkusen finished the 2023/24 season with the domestic double, winning the Bundesliga title and German Cup, while going 51 competitive games without losing a single match.

Chelsea are doing things differently with this appointment process; the Blues want to bring in a top-level head coach. Out of the candidates named to football.london thus far, Alonso is head and shoulders above the rest.