{"id":333255,"date":"2026-05-12T05:56:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T00:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=333255"},"modified":"2026-05-12T05:56:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T00:26:58","slug":"xabi-alonso-stance-on-managing-chelsea-amid-liverpool-links-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/xabi-alonso-stance-on-managing-chelsea-amid-liverpool-links-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso stance on managing Chelsea amid Liverpool links | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<\/div><figcaption>Chelsea are exploring a possible deal for Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is reportedly \u2018open\u2019 to the concept of becoming Chelsea manager.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea\u2019s hunt for a brand new head coach is now almost a month old, with club\u2019s sporting leadership group starting their search within the immediate aftermath of Liam Rosenior\u2019s dismissal.<\/p>\n<p>Rosenior had enjoyed a promising begin to life within the Chelsea dugout but results and performances took a turn for the more severe from early February \u2013 and a miserable run of 5 straight league defeats without scoring a single goal proved the ultimate straw.<\/p>\n<p>Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane picked up the pieces from Rosenior\u2019s turbulent 107-day reign and oversaw a 1-0 victory over\u00a0Leeds\u00a0to steer Chelsea into this yr\u2019s FA Cup final.<\/p>\n<p>But a heavy 3-1 defeat at home to\u00a0Nottingham Forest\u00a0served as a stark reminder of Chelsea\u2019s desperate situation within the league \u2013 and Stamford Bridge bosses are wanting to secure a deal for Rosenior\u2019s everlasting successor sooner quite than later.<\/p>\n<p>Since Rosenior\u2019s sacking, a number of high-profile names have been linked with the vacant position, including the likes of\u00a0Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Andoni Iraola, with the latter\u00a0confirming that this season might be his last at Bournemouth.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s understood Xavi is viewed as probably the most realistic option of the three and up to date reports indicated the ex-Barcelona boss was perceptive to the potential of taking on the reins in west London.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"594\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2255217429.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=594\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28328249\" alt=\"FBL-KSA-SUPERCUP-BARCELONA-REAL MADRID\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\t<\/div><figcaption>The Spanish icon parted ways with Madrid after only seven months (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"594\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2153632305.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=594\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28328262\" alt=\"Bayer 04 Leverkusen v FC Augsburg - Bundesliga\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Leverkusen stormed to their first Bundesliga title with Alonso on the helm in 2024 (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In keeping with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6964506\/2026\/05\/11\/xabi-alonso-chelsea-head-coach\/\">The Athletic\u2019s David Ornstein<\/a>, Xavi\u2019s fellow countryman Alonso is similarly \u2018open\u2019 to the prospect of managing Chelsea and a deal for the ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder is being actively \u2018explored\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, with the recruitment process ongoing, the report suggests Chelsea wish to avoid making a knee-jerk decisions and no final call has been made regarding a possible appointment at this stage.<\/p>\n<p>Iraola is alleged to stay a \u2018strong contender\u2019 for the role, while Fulham head coach Marco Silva, former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner are also into consideration.<\/p>\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"metro-video-player  \" data-track-module=\"article_video-player-with-related-carousel\">\n<div class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-responsive\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<video id=\"3648745\" class=\"video-js\" poster=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/05\/09\/16\/108492585-0-image-m-2_1778341003736.jpg\" data-opts=\"{\"autoplay\":false,\"controls\":true,\"createdDate\":\"2026-05-09T16:59:40+0100\",\"duration\":673,\"headline\":\"Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool fans booing draw with 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head coach Arne Slot speaks to the media during a press conference following his side's 1-1 draw at home against Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.\",\"title\":\"Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool fans booing draw with Chelsea\",\"videoId\":3648745}\" preload=\"metadata\" playsinline=\"\"><source src=\"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/05\/09\/1704094070540513563\/480x270_MP4_1704094070540513563.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><\/source><\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an internet<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/a><\/p><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alonso won himself admirers across European football and established himself as one of the crucial highly sought-after young managers in the sport along with his extraordinary work answerable for Leverkusen, his first post in senior management.<\/p>\n<p>After taking on from Gerardo Seoan, Alonso oversaw an unprecedented undefeated domestic double in 2023\/24, steering the club to its first ever Bundesliga title and a primary DFB-Pokal in three many years.<\/p>\n<p>The 44-year-old\u2019s remarkable success in Germany earned him a return to Real Madrid, where he had been a fan favourite as a player, but he was sacked after only seven months in charge on the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2183038693.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28328362\" alt=\"Bayer 04 Leverkusen Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2024\/25 League Phase MD4\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Alonso spent five years with Chelsea\u2019s rivals Liverpool as a player (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The choice to part ways with Alonso got here after Madrid had suffered defeat to Barcelona within the Spanish Super Cup final, with Hansi Flick\u2019s men also holding a four-point lead at the highest of La Liga on the time.<\/p>\n<p>Alonso, who has been out of a job since is dismissal in January, has also been tipped as a possible solution at Liverpool, where Arne Slot finds himself under intense pressure after an immensely disappointing title defence within the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018After all there&#8217;s a bond with my former club, but for now that is my place,\u2019 Alonso said of a possible reunion with Liverpool just weeks before his departure on the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018In future, you never know what might occur.\u2019<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"594\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2269442329.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=594\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28328369\" alt=\"West Ham United v Leeds United - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Alonso would \u2018light up\u2019 Anfield, based on Cole (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Talking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tntsports.co.uk\/football\/premier-league\/2025-2026\/xabi-alonso-next-liverpool-manager-arne-slot-joe-cole_sto23297926\/story.shtml\">TNT Sports<\/a> this week, Joe Cole, who after all represented each Chelsea and Liverpool, suggested Alonso would \u2018light up\u2019 Anfield should he return to Merseyside \u2013 17 years after he left as a player.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Liverpool normally stick by their manager,\u2019 Cole explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018People have said that Jurgen Klopp won Arne Slot the league last season, nevertheless it was Slot\u2019s team<\/p>\n<p>\u2018There have been circumstances, a few of it tragic, then they\u2019ve had issues with the brand new signings. Alexander Isak began 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<p>\u2018There\u2019s been so many aspects, but I at all times come back to that proven fact that Xabi Alonso is out there. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018That\u2019s the one thing that\u2019s at all times hanging there, and he may not be available again. We saw what he did at Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It didn\u2019t work out at Real Madrid, but, after all, Arne Slot should stay. Alonso is there, and this place would light up again with him in the new seat.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on <meta charset=\"utf-8\"><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sportmetro\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Metro_Sport\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/metrosportuk\/\">Instagram<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"><\/use><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: Strasbourg manager Gary O\u2019Neil slams Chelsea owners and his own players<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"><\/use><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: Joe Cole urges England boss Thomas Tuchel to drop Arsenal star for Chelsea rival to \u2018win the World Cup\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"><\/use><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: Barcelona vs Real Madrid TV channel: Where to observe El Clasico live within the UK<\/span><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea are exploring a possible deal for Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) Former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is reportedly \u2018open\u2019 to the concept of becoming Chelsea manager. Chelsea\u2019s hunt for a brand new head coach is now almost a month old, with club\u2019s sporting leadership group starting their search within the immediate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":333256,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20686],"tags":[7352,1289,5479,5558,2607,9434,764,7351],"class_list":["post-333255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football","tag-alonso","tag-chelsea","tag-football","tag-links","tag-liverpool","tag-managing","tag-stance","tag-xabi"],"aioseo_notices":[{"message":"The permalink for this post just changed! 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