{"id":3215,"date":"2026-05-02T13:26:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T13:26:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=3215"},"modified":"2026-05-02T13:26:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T13:26:24","slug":"xabi-alonso-backed-for-chelsea-job-despite-madrid-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=3215","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso backed for Chelsea job despite Madrid exit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-main\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-header--><\/p>\n<div id=\"post-feat-img\" class=\"left relative\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chelsea-FC-149.jpg\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"Chelsea FC\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chelsea-FC-149.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chelsea-FC-149-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chelsea-FC-149-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chelsea-FC-149.jpg\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1200\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"675\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-feat-text-->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--post-feat-img--><\/p>\n<section class=\"social-sharing-top\">\n<p><span class=\"fb-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-facebook-f\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Xabi Alonso backed for Chelsea job despite Madrid exit -&amp;url=https:\/\/sixsports.in\/xabi-alonso-backed-for-chelsea-job-despite-madrid-exit\/', 'twitterShare', 'width=626,height=436'); return false;\" title=\"Share This Post\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"twitter-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-x-twitter\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"whatsapp-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-whatsapp fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pinterest-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-pinterest-p\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"email-but\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Email<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--social-sharing-top--><\/p>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-card\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-top\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-logo\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chelsea_fc_logo-1.avif\" alt=\"CHELSEA\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-description\">\n<p>            Chelsea is one of England\u2019s premier football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. Known for its strong squad, tactical versatility, and competitive history, Chelsea has won multiple league titles, domestic cups,\u2026            <a class=\"sx-entity-readmore\" href=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/team\/chelsea\/\"><br \/>\n                Read More about CHELSEA\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Chelsea is looking for a new manager after a tough time under Liam Rosenior. Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has shared his clear opinion on who the club should hire next. He said one top name, <strong>\u201cHe\u2019d be brilliant\u201d<\/strong> for Chelsea which is Xabi Alonso.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-kaveh-solhekol-prefers-xabi-alonso\">Why Kaveh Solhekol Prefers Xabi Alonso?<\/h2>\n<p>Kaveh Solhekol is a well known football journalist who works for Sky Sports. He often gives honest views on transfers and managers. When talking about Chelsea\u2019s next boss, he did not hold back. He named Xabi Alonso as his top choice and explained why he thinks it would be a smart move.<\/p>\n<p>Xabi Alonso is an outstanding player and coach in football history. His most famous accomplishments include his numerous championships over a number of top flight clubs including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n<p>After retiring, Alonso quickly moved into management. He started at Real Sociedad B and then took charge of Bayer Leverkusen, where he did very well. Later, he even managed Real Madrid for a short time. Solhekol believes this experience is very important.<\/p>\n<p>Kaveh said: <strong>\u201cThe person I would go for would be Xabi Alonso.\u201d<\/strong> He pointed out that Alonso has played for massive clubs and managed at the highest level. This background would help him win respect from Chelsea\u2019s players right away in Premier League.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>READ MORE: \u201cI cannot talk\u201d Iraola breaks silence as Chelsea race heats up<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-s-current-situation\">Chelsea\u2019s Current Situation<\/h2>\n<p>Chelsea have many talented and expensive players in their squad. Managing big egos is not easy. Solhekol thinks Alonso\u2019s great career as a player would make the dressing room listen to him from day one. He added that even though Alonso faced challenges at Real Madrid, the Chelsea squad is different.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cHe would immediately command the respect of the Chelsea players,\u201d<\/strong> said Kaveh. Even tactically, he believes Alonso would be brilliant. His teams usually play attractive, organized football with good control in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n<p>As per reports, Chelsea have not been stable in recent seasons. They have changed managers quite often. The club\u2019s owners want someone who can bring success and build a strong team for the long term. With the season ending soon, the Blues are already thinking about the summer. They need a manager who can handle the Premier League pressure and the expectations at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<p>Solhekol feels Alonso fits the bill because of his winning mentality and tactical knowledge. He has shown he can improve players and get results. While Solhekol likes Alonso most, other managers are also being talked about. There are names like Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Oliver Glasner have come up in reports. Cesc Fabregas is another popular idea among some fans.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>READ MORE: Chelsea shock decision: Players back John Terry but board say no<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" alt=\"Chelsea\" class=\"wp-image-202905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126.webp\" alt=\"Chelsea\" class=\"wp-image-202905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-126-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-big-decision-ahead\">A Big Decision Ahead<\/h2>\n<p>For the players, working under a legend like Alonso could be inspiring. He knows what it takes to win at the top level. This will also help bring back the winning culture and tough mindset at the club. Chelsea\u2019s owners will have many meetings this summer. They must choose someone who can work with their structure and deliver results quickly.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>READ MORE: Man City target Enzo Fernandez transfer move<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The hiring of a right manager is never easy for a big club like Chelsea. Kaveh Solhekol\u2019s words carry weight because he follows the game closely. His strong support for Xabi Alonso has got fans talking. Whether Chelsea listen to this advice or go for another name remains to be seen. The coming weeks will be exciting as the search for the next Blues boss heats up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"preferred-source-box\" style=\"margin-top:40px;padding:25px;background: #1865b4;border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:10px;color:#fff;\">ENJOYED THIS STORY?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;margin-bottom:20px;color:#fff;\">\n<p>                    Add Six Sports as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting\n                <\/p>\n<p>                    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" style=\"max-width:260px;height:auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/img\/google-trusted-source\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/img\/google-trusted-source\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.webp\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" style=\"max-width:260px;height:auto;\"\/><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"after-article-links\" style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:14px;\">Follow the latest updates from <strong>Premier League<\/strong>, <strong>The League<\/strong> and<br \/>\n        <strong>Champions League<\/strong>or explore more<br \/>\n        <strong>Football<\/strong> stories, <strong>Football Teams<\/strong> &#038; <strong>All Football Competitions<\/strong> . Follow more updates on CHELSEA. You can also check <strong>Latest Sports News<\/strong> or visit <strong>Six Sports<\/strong> for more Football updates.<\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-box\" itemprop=\"author\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\">\n<div class=\"fe-author-avatar\">\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b698e6d21fab58b34665a1c31d912595a976d89d14d8de0c868d4f1a8f9f9906?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b698e6d21fab58b34665a1c31d912595a976d89d14d8de0c868d4f1a8f9f9906?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b698e6d21fab58b34665a1c31d912595a976d89d14d8de0c868d4f1a8f9f9906?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b698e6d21fab58b34665a1c31d912595a976d89d14d8de0c868d4f1a8f9f9906?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\"\/>    <\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-content\">\n<h2 class=\"fe-author-name\" itemprop=\"name\">\n<p>                Debanjan Mallick<br \/>\n        <\/h2>\n<p class=\"fe-author-bio\" itemprop=\"description\">\n<p>                Debanjan Mallick is a Senior Football Writer at Six Sports, delivering expert coverage of football matches, player performances, and tactical developments. With substantial experience in football journalism, he focuses on providing detailed analysis and feature articles that engage readers and offer deeper insights into the sport.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nThrough his contributions to Six Sports, Debanjan produces comprehensive football content, including match breakdowns, tactical evaluations, and analytical features. His writing blends clarity with expertise, making him a reliable source for fans seeking high-quality football coverage.            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-org-wrap\" itemprop=\"publisher\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n<div class=\"mvp-org-logo\" itemprop=\"logo\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\" src-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png.webp\" class=\"ewww_webp_lazy_load\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-logo--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Six Sports\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-wrap--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--posts-nav-link--><\/p>\n<div class=\"mentioned-article-block\">\n<h3 class=\"mentioned-title\">Mentioned in this Article<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-button--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-->\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share Share Share Share Email Chelsea is one of England\u2019s premier football clubs, competing in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3216,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3215"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3215\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}