{"id":8296,"date":"2026-05-14T10:51:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T10:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8296"},"modified":"2026-05-14T10:51:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T10:51:10","slug":"next-chelsea-manager-as-xabi-alonso-now-odds-on-favourite-to-replace-liam-rosenior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8296","title":{"rendered":"Next Chelsea Manager as Xabi Alonso now odds-on favourite to replace Liam Rosenior"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_184259\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">It looks all but confirmed that Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner for the Chelsea job as the Blues look to bring in the former Real Madrid boss to Stamford Bridge<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque Byline_affiliate__x6U8c\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1 Byline_affiliate-wrapper__1OUZX\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">12:08, 13 May 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 12:50, 13 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"DisclosureNotice_disclosure-notice__LgLFU\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37140125\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"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 in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. Real Madrid appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as new coach on January 12, 2026 after coach Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent, a day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona, AFP reports. (Photo by Fadel SENNA \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37140125.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37140125.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37140125.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37140125.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Xabi Alonso has emerged as one of the top targets for the Chelsea job\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Xabi Alonso has emerged as one of the top targets for the Chelsea job<cite aria-label=\"Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Heavily-linked coach Xabi Alonso has emerged as the odds-on favourite to become the latest Chelsea boss under Todd Boehly&#8217;s control as the American owner looks to go in a different direction at the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The bookies have all priced the former Real Madrid boss as the next man to lead the Blues with BetVictor, Betfred and William Hill all offering 2\/5 odds on the Spaniard to take on the role at Stamford Bridge. You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers<!-- -->.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Betfred&#8217;s Robert Ford said: \u201cAfter receiving significant backing overnight, Xabi Alonso is now the 2\/5 odds-on favourite to be the next permanent manager of Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cAlonso comes into his new price from 7\/4 after it was reported that he\u2019s open to taking the job at Stamford Bridge. Outgoing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was the leader of the market at the back end of last week at 6\/4, before drifting out to 7\/2 yesterday and now he\u2019s out at 4\/1 and sits second in the odds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a315 Free Bets with BetGoodwin<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37091126.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_MirrorRegional_WelcomOfferWeb1200x675-1.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a315 Free Bets<\/p>\n<p>BetGoodwin<\/p>\n<p>Claim Here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">New customers can enjoy \u00a315 in free bets with BetGoodwin when they sign-up using promo code <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WELCOME15 <\/strong>and bet \u00a310 on any sports market at the minimum odds. 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It has not brought much success, however, on the pitch with minimal returns in silverware to what the club were used to during Roman Abramovich&#8217;s reign as owner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The permanent appointments of Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior have all verge on the basis of developing youth players but some &#8211; such as Potter &#8211; have come out to criticise the club&#8217;s process and execution of the proposed plan with huge squads and lack of strategy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A shift in this direction will return them to the days of Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho who have all won various pieces of silverware and are renowned winners in the game.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"HeadingTwo_heading-two__4TTeG  __className_7ebe58\">Next Chelsea Manager Odds<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\">\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Xabi Alonso &#8211; 2\/5<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Andoni Iraola &#8211; 4\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Marco Silva &#8211; 8\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Filipe Luis &#8211; 11\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Cesc Fabregas &#8211; 16\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Oliver Glasner &#8211; 16\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Frank Lampard &#8211; 20\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Jose Mourinho &#8211; 20\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Xavi Hernandez &#8211; 20\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Calum McFarlane &#8211; 25\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Diego Simeone &#8211; 25\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Eddie Howe &#8211; 25\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Gary O&#8217;Neil &#8211; 25\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Julian Nagelsmann &#8211; 25\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">Luis Enrique &#8211; 25\/1<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">BAR &#8211; 33\/1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em>18+ | Gamble responsibly |<\/em> <em>gambleaware.org<\/em> <em>| Odds subject to change | Odds supplied by Betfred<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">READ MORE:<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Free Bets &#038; Bookmaker Sign Up Offers<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_7ebe58\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Gamble responsibly<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It looks all but confirmed that Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner for the Chelsea job&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8296","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\/8296","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=8296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}