Chelsea hope to confirm Xabi Alonso as new manager NEXT WEEK as talks accelerate
Chelsea are on the hunt for a new head coach ahead of the fresh season following Liam Rosenior’s dismissal, and it seems they are edging closer to appointing Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso has been linked with Chelsea(Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea are hopeful of confirming Xabi Alonso as their new manager as early as next week, having intensified their pursuit of the former Liverpool midfielder.
Alonso, 44, has been without a club since January, after leaving Real Madrid following a turbulent seven-month tenure at the Bernabeu.
The Spaniard previously held the reins at Bayer Leverkusen, where he masterminded a remarkable unbeaten campaign, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year grip on the Bundesliga title while also claiming the German Cup.
Having explored the credentials of Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva, Chelsea are convinced that Alonso is the ideal candidate to succeed caretaker boss Calum McFarlane, who will oversee Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Football.london understand that Chelsea are keen to wrap up Alonso’s appointment within days of the final, with growing confidence that the former Madrid and Leverkusen boss may be receptive to the approach.
Alonso is regarded as the frontrunner to become Liam Rosenior’s permanent replacement, as the Blues embark on their fifth managerial search in four years.
The Spaniard has also been linked with the vacancy at Liverpool, should Arne Slot face the sack. However, Anfield’s hierarchy are unlikely to sanction a managerial change if the club secure Champions League qualification.
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The prospect of Alonso taking his place in the Stamford Bridge dugout may well rankle with some Liverpool supporters, though club legend Jamie Carragher has expressed his desire to see him flourish.
“If he does get the job, I’ll probably want Chelsea to win a little bit more than I normally do with him being a former team-mate,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“We’ll see if Xabi gets the job, and if he does really well next season. That may be a masterstroke next season by not listening to the pressure of the supporters and sticking with the manager (Slot) who’s already won the Premier League.”
As for McFarlane’s assessment of Alonso, he explained: “There’s a lot of names linked with the job.
“It’s not really my place to say who should get it, or who’s a good manager, who’s not a good manager. My job is to prepare the team for Saturday and that’s all I’ll be focusing on.”
