{"id":15759,"date":"2026-07-09T13:36:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T13:36:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=15759"},"modified":"2026-07-09T13:36:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T13:36:21","slug":"blueco-have-hit-the-jackpot-with-strasbourgs-new-manager-if-path-to-chelsea-remains-clear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=15759","title":{"rendered":"BlueCo have hit the jackpot with Strasbourg’s new manager if path to Chelsea remains clear"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Chelsea are more than happy to be moving forward with Xabi Alonso as the club manager, however are set to bring in a perfect potential replacement at Strasbourg.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues did well to even convince Alonso to take the job, and now face the task of actively backing him with signings in the transfer market.<\/p>\n

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He replaces Liam Rosenior as the permanent man in charge at Stamford Bridge, with him being the first manager to join via fellow BlueCo club, Strasbourg.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! \ud83c\udfc6<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"Xabi<\/div>
Credit: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

BlueCo close in on exciting new Strasbourg manager<\/h2>\n

It has been a pathway for players such as Mamadou Sarr and Andrey Santos in the past, although if it is one that continues to be followed by managers then there should be excitement amongst Blues fans.<\/p>\n

According to L\u2019Equipe, Strasbourg are closing in on hiring Kjetil Knutsen as their new manager after the departure of Gary O\u2019Neil.<\/p>\n

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Knutsen caught the eye last season in the Champions League with his Bodo Glimt side, who were very close to booking a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

They beat Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the group stages, before Knutsen masterminded a two-leg victory over previous finalists Inter Milan.<\/p>\n

For context, Chelsea haven\u2019t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, despite playing them multiple times a season.<\/p>\n

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Enzo Fernandez needs to leave Chelsea for the good of the club \ud83d\udc4b\ud83c\udffb<\/h3>\n

Thoughts?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Enzo<\/div>
Photo by Dennis Agyeman \/ European Press Sports via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

He will be tasked in France with developing some incredibly promising players who could see their future be at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

One of their top players is Julio Enciso, who enjoyed a strong World Cup campaign as part of the Paraguay squad before their Round of 16 exit.<\/p>\n

Enciso was not promised a Chelsea move when he signed, although he has been on the club\u2019s radar for a potential future addition.<\/p>\n

The same can be said for striker Joaquin Panichelli, who was set to be part of Argentina\u2019s World Cup squad before a serious knee injury.<\/p>\n

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