{"id":6990,"date":"2026-05-11T02:21:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T02:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6990"},"modified":"2026-05-11T02:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T02:21:36","slug":"chelsea-make-decision-over-next-manager-but-fear-liverpool-will-scupper-plans-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6990","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea make decision over next manager but fear Liverpool will scupper plans | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\"Chelsea\t<\/div>
Chelsea are searching for their next manager (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso has emerged as the \u2018early preferred choice\u2019 to become the next Chelsea manager, according to reports.<\/p>\n

Chelsea are searching for their next permanent manager after sacking Liam Rosenior last month.<\/p>\n

Rosenior only arrived at Stamford Bridge in January following Enzo Maresca\u2019s departure but last just 106 days before he too was axed.<\/p>\n

Premier League managers Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva emerged as two of the early candidates to take over at Chelsea, who lost their last five Premier League games under Rosenior without scoring a goal.<\/p>\n

But the Daily Mail say Liverpool icon and former Real Madrid manager Alonso is also under consideration by Chelsea.<\/p>\n

It is even claimed that Alonso, 44, is emerging as the \u2018preferred choice\u2019 of some decision-makers at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

Alonso enjoyed huge success at his first managerial role with Bayer Leverkusen, leading the German club to a stunning Bundesliga title in 2024.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"FC\t<\/div>
Liverpool legend and ex-Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Impressing at Leverkusen earned Alonso a move to European giants Real Madrid, where he spent five years as a player, winning La Liga and the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Alonso was hoping for similar success at the Bernabeu as a player but left the club after just seven months by mutual consent.<\/p>\n

Four months after his departure from Real Madrid, Alonso is \u2018ready\u2019 to resume his managerial career, according to Fabrizio Romano.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Brighton\t<\/div>
Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior last month (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is claimed the Spain legend is \u2018very open\u2019 to opportunities around Europe if he can find the right project.<\/p>\n

Whether he would be willing to take over Chelsea remains to be seen given his allegiances to Liverpool, where he spent five years as a player and won the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Another issue for Chelsea is Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Alonso as pressure grows on under-fire manager Arne Slot.<\/p>\n

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Slot\u2019s side have produced a dismal title defence this season and were booed off after Saturday\u2019s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Reports have suggested Liverpool are set to back Slot and give him more time to turn things around but a large section of fans want the Dutchman gone and would welcome the return of club legend Alonso.<\/p>\n

Speaking after Liverpool\u2019s recent draw with Chelsea, Joe Cole said Alonso would \u2018light up\u2019 Anfield \u2013 though he believes Slot deserves more time.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Arne Slot is under huge pressure at Anfield (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018The club usually stick by their manager,\u2019 Cole told TNT Sports. \u2018People have said that Jurgen Klopp won Arne Slot the league last season, but it was Slot\u2019s team.<\/p>\n

\u2018There have been circumstances, some of it tragic, then they\u2019ve had issues with the new signings. Alexander Isak started poorly, Florian Wirtz hasn\u2019t settled, Hugo Ekitike has been injured, and we\u2019ve seen the difference between Mohamed Salah this and last season.<\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s been so many factors, but I always come back to that fact that Xabi Alonso is available. That\u2019s the one thing that\u2019s always hanging there, and he might not be available again.<\/p>\n

\u2018We saw what he did at Bayer Leverkusen. It didn\u2019t work out at Real Madrid, but, of course, Arne Slot should stay. Alonso is there, and this place would light up again with him in the hotseat.\u2019<\/p>\n

While Liverpool have endured a difficult season, they remain six places and ten points above a Chelsea side who suffered six straight league defeats before the Anfield stalemate.<\/p>\n

Chelsea face Manchester City in the FA Cup final next weekend, while Liverpool visit top-four rivals Aston Villa.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Joe Cole urges Chelsea to consider transfer moves for England duo and Barcelona star<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Owen Hargreaves names Manchester United\u2019s signing of the season<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Andoni Iraola firm in response to Manchester United, Liverpool and Crystal Palace links<\/span><\/p>\n
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