Chelsea already received Xabi Alonso green light as manager decides on new job
Chelsea are pursuing Xabi Alonso in the hope the Spaniard will become the club’s new long-term head coach
Xabi Alonso is reportedly in talks to become the next Chelsea manager(Image: SOPA Images, SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso had already expressed his interest in managing in the Premier League before reports emerged claiming he is open to the Chelsea job. Alonso features on the Blues’ shortlist for a new permanent manager, following the sacking of Liam Rosenior in April.
Chelsea have opened talks with the Spaniard’s representatives and, according to The Athletic, the 44-year-old is interested in taking charge at Stamford Bridge this summer.
It may surprise some given Alonso’s connections with Liverpool, where he lifted the Champions League as a player and had been tipped to replace Arne Slot due to his disastrous campaign in charge of the Reds. But Slot is expected to keep his job despite mounting pressure and even boos from his own fans during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
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Alonso’s blocked return to Liverpool makes his desire to become Chelsea’s new manager less of a surprise. That is especially true considering he admitted two years ago that he was intrigued by the possibility of managing in the Premier League one day, while still at Bayer Leverkusen.
When the subject of working in the Premier League arose during a pre-match press conference in April 2024, Alonso said: You never know. At the moment I have enough on my plate to think about but I’m still young as a coach and for sure it’s a nice thought.”
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Alonso had just turned down Liverpool by committing to Bayer Leverkusen as the Reds tried to bring in the Spaniard to replace Jurgen Klopp. The decision followed Alonso’s remarkable season with the German side.
The former World Cup winner’s reputation reached an all-time high after steering Leverkusen from near-relegation to an unbeaten domestic double and the Europa League final in 2023/24. He remained in Germany for another campaign, which proved more challenging, before taking the helm at Real Madrid last summer – another of his former clubs.
Alonso left his role in the Spanish capital after less than eight months in charge. Lacklustre results, question marks over his tactics and reports of unrest in the dressing room were rumoured to be the causes of his exit, which was described as a “mutual agreement”.
Looking ahead to his potential arrival at Chelsea, the Blues are aiming to have a new head coach in place by mid-June. Whether or not they secure Champions League qualification, the club are preparing for a busy summer and plan to bring in at least a new centre-back, central midfielder and left-sided winger.
Alonso, based on suggestions he is open to the Chelsea job, does not appear to be put off by the failure of the Blues’ managers under the club’s new ownership in recent times. Rosenior survived just 106 days at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca’s successor, paying the price for a dreadful run of results that looks likely to deny Chelsea a Champions League spot.
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