Chelsea make contact with Xabi Alonso
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Chelsea are searching for their next permanent manager after sacking Liam Rosenior. Image Credits: Imago ImagesChelsea are searching for their next permanent manager after sacking Liam Rosenior last month, with the club set to appoint a fourth head coach since the start of the 2023/24 season.Rosenior only arrived at Stamford Bridge in January following Enzo Maresca’s departure but lasted just 106 days before being dismissed.Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva are among the leading candidates.
Alonso is understood to be open to the role after impressing in his first managerial job with Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the club to the Bundesliga title in 2024.However, according to The Athletic, nothing is decided yet as the process to hire a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior continues.Xabi Alonso has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in January. Following Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool in 2024, the Reds explored a move for Alonso, but he chose to remain at Bayer Leverkusen before later taking charge at Madrid.Oliver Glasner is also under consideration, while former Flamengo boss Filipe Luís and Como head coach Cesc Fàbregas – both ex-Chelsea players – are admired internally.According to BBC Sport, Chelsea have started contacting prospective candidates, including Alonso, as they move to appoint a new permanent head coach.
The Blues hope to appoint a new head coach before pre-season in early July.Several candidates, including Iraola, Alonso, Silva and Glasner, are set to be available this summer, meaning no compensation would be required.An appointment of Xabi Alonso would likely spark a major summer rebuild at Chelsea, with the squad reshaped to suit his tactical vision.Unlike Liam Rosenior, who emerged from within the BlueCo structure, Alonso would arrive with greater influence over recruitment and demand specific player profiles.Such a move would signal a shift in approach, with the club prioritising managerial expertise over a rigid corporate model as they aim to re-establish themselves among the Premier League elite.Saturday’s FA Cup Final offers a chance for redemption in an underwhelming campaign, but the implications stretch beyond silverware.With Todd Boehly overseeing heavy investment and a bloated wage bill, Chelsea cannot afford another season outside the UEFA Champions League, making their next managerial appointment crucial.Another complication for Chelsea is that Liverpool have also been strongly linked with a move for Xabi Alonso amid growing pressure on Arne Slot.Slot’s side have endured a disappointing title defence and were booed off following Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the two sides.While reports suggest Liverpool are prepared to back Slot, a significant section of supporters are calling for a change and would welcome the return of club legend Alonso.Despite a difficult season, Liverpool remain six places and ten points above Chelsea, who had suffered six consecutive league defeats before the Anfield stalemate.