{"id":5373,"date":"2026-05-07T12:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5373"},"modified":"2026-05-07T12:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:38:00","slug":"thibaut-courtois-verdict-on-xabi-alonso-now-looks-very-interesting-amid-chelsea-links","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5373","title":{"rendered":"Thibaut Courtois&#8217; verdict on Xabi Alonso now looks very interesting amid Chelsea links"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-366946\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Ever since Liam Rosenior was sacked as Chelsea boss, three managers have remained the front-runners: Xabi Alonso, Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola. Thibaut Courtois worked under Alonso.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Marco Silva\u2019s future remains uncertain at the moment, with Fulham hopeful Silva will sign a new deal at Chelsea\u2019s neighbours. But as time drags on, it feels inevitable that Silva will end his five-year Fulham stint.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>Then, there is Andoni Iraola. He has already confirmed he will be leaving Bournemouth, with Marco Rose replacing him. Any belief he would be Athletic Bilbao\u2019s next boss is over, with Edin Terzic confirmed.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"74909401-8595-4074-9a62-89a4ab9cee30\" data-story-name=\"New Chelsea Manager\" data-comment-id=\"fc1d865b-0117-436b-b311-f91fa998109e\" data-story-slug=\"new-chelsea-manager\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Xabi Alonso is the BEST candidate for the Chelsea job \ud83d\udc4c<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso rumour graphic\" class=\"wp-image-365656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium\u00a0in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. (Photo by Fadel SENNA \/ AFP via Getty Images)\">Photo by Fadel SENNA \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The only one of the three currently out of work is Xabi Alonso, after he was sacked by Real Madrid earlier this season. Much was made of his sacking, with some claiming the players turned on the iconic Spaniard.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-thibaut-courtois-said-about-xabi-alonso-s-sacking\">What Thibaut Courtois said about Xabi Alonso\u2019s sacking<\/h2>\n<p>Many outlets suggested Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr did not like working with Alonso and disagreed with some aspects of his management. Alonso was sacked, with Alvaro Arbeloa now in interim charge.<\/p>\n<p>His move to Madrid came after going an entire season unbeaten with Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga ahead of Bayern Munich and finishing as a runner-up in the 2023-24 Europa League.<\/p>\n<p>Amid the reports behind his sacking, former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois spoke out. He said that it was not down to the players and defended the former Liverpool and Madrid midfielder after his exit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo player set up Xabi Alonso. I think we did good work. They said we hate tactics, we hate the videos\u2026 look, I had Antonio Conte who did one hour of work every day, and I was there and didn\u2019t mind it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2254611705-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Real Madrid CF v Real Betis Balompie - LaLiga EA Sports\" class=\"wp-image-366877\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2254611705-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2254611705-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2254611705-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2254611705-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2254611705-1-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2254611705-1-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Xabi Alonso, Manager of Real Madrid looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompi\u00e9 at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 04, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alvaro Medranda\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Alvaro Medranda\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe are professionals, and the priority is my work. I think the first months with Xabi went very well and then we hit a slump. This happens in football.\u201d I\u2019ve read things and told myself \u2018Oh my goodness\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou think this club is a nursery and that we do whatever we want, but it\u2019s not like this. We respect all managers who arrive, the medical staff, and everyone,\u201d Courtois continued, following Alonso\u2019s sacking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think a lot of criticism is unfair. Some other information is correct, and I have no problem, that\u2019s why I tell you we are to blame too, and we\u2019ve assumed this,\u201d he was quoted as saying by Managing Madrid.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-the-latest-reports-are-saying-about-alonso-and-chelsea\">What the latest reports are saying about Alonso and Chelsea<\/h2>\n<p>Chelsea fans scoffed on social media earlier this week, when they watched Jamie Carragher claim that Alonso wouldn\u2019t take the Chelsea job because of his Liverpool past. Reports say the complete opposite.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar-poll\" data-story-id=\"0014d213-24cc-415e-a559-10d6a8ddd9a0\" data-story-name=\"2025\/26 Season\" data-comment-id=\"02488e04-1dbb-43cd-90c6-73b1510c1bd7\" data-story-slug=\"2025-26-season\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">QUARTER-FINAL 1: Reece James vs Estevao Willian<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Chelsea are not the only side interested in hiring Alonso this summer. AC Milan have also considered replacing Max Allegri with the Spaniard and yet, it appears that Milan\u2019s hopes have now come to an end.<\/p>\n<p>Milan\u2019s attempts to persuade Alonso have hit a dead end because, as Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti puts it, Alonso is \u2018destined\u2019 to join Chelsea. Whether or not that is actually true, remains to be seen.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/thibaut-courtois-verdict-on-xabi-alonso-now-looks-very-interesting-amid-chelsea-links\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Thibaut Courtois&#8217; verdict on Xabi Alonso now looks very interesting amid Chelsea links',content_category:'News',content_ids:(366946,\"thibaut-courtois-2\",\"xabi-alonso\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Ever since Liam Rosenior was sacked as Chelsea boss,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5373","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\/5373","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=5373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5373\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}