Xabi Alonso now joint-favourite for Chelsea manager job alongside Andoni Iraola
Former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has seen his odds slashed to become joint-favourite for the Chelsea manager role alongside Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola as betting markets heat up
Xabi Alonso is one of the names on Chelsea’s shortlist of candidates to replace Liam Rosenior(Image: Javier Borrego/Europa Press)
A surprise name has emerged as the frontrunner to become Chelsea’s next head coach, with a former Real Madrid manager now leading the race. The Blues press on with their managerial search while Calum McFarlane holds the fort until the end of the campaign, with an FA Cup final still to come, but the latest name linked with Stamford Bridge is sure to turn heads.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola had been the standout candidate for much of the time since Rosenior was relieved of his duties shortly after Chelsea’s heavy defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion last week. However, overnight the odds tumbled dramatically on a former Real Madrid manager, who is now joint-favourite alongside the departing Premier League chief.
Many might assume the name in question is Jose Mourinho, given the recent speculation surrounding his future at Benfica this summer, but it is in fact former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso who has been linked with the role. Alonso has been without a club since his brief tenure as Real Madrid manager this season, though his track record speaks for itself, most notably steering Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title during their remarkable unbeaten campaign in 2023/24.
Betfred’s Robert Ford said: “Liverpool icon Xabi Alonso has had his odds slashed from 7/1 into 5/2 joint-favourite, alongside Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, to become the next permanent manager of Chelsea.
“Alonso has been heavily linked with a return to Anfield, even before becoming the boss of Real Madrid last summer, but with it looking more likely that Arne Slot will remain at Liverpool next season, Alonso could be heading back to the Premier League with Chelsea. The ex-Bundesliga winning player and manager was a big outsider when the market opened at 20/1.
“Former sole market leader Andoni Iraola has been pushed out to 5/2 from 6/4, whilst Fulham’s Marco Silva sits just outside the leading pair at 5/1. Ex-Chelsea duo Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis’ prices have taken a hit in the past 24 hours as the pair have both been pushed out from 4/1 into 6/1 and 10/1, respectively. Club legend Frank Lampard is now out at 14/1 from 8/1.”, reports the Mirror.
Next Chelsea Manager Odds
- Andoni Iraola – 5/2
- Xabi Alonso – 5/2
- Marco Silva – 5/1
- Cesc Fabregas – 6/1
- Filipe Luis – 10/1
- Frank Lampard – 14/1
- Oliver Glasner – 14/1
- Calum McFarlane – 16/1
- Diego Simeone – 16/1
- Eddie Howe – 16/1
- Jose Mourinho – 20/1
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