Liverpool blindsided as Xabi Alonso's stance on Chelsea job emerges
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Chelsea is reportedly in discussions with Xabi Alonso's representatives over the possibility of the Spaniard succeeding Liam Rosenior as Blues manager this summerXabi Alonso has been linked with replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Xabi Alonso is reportedly prepared to take the reins at Chelsea this summer, amid speculation linking him with Liverpool. Alonso is one of six names on the shortlist, alongside Cesc Fabregas, Oliver Glasner, Filipe Luis, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva.READ MORE: Jamie Carragher tears into Arsenal and claims 'that's why they're disliked'READ MORE: 'Liverpool needs to spend $600M again - I want at least four new signings'Glasner is set to leave UEFA Conference League finalists Crystal Palace at the end of the season, while Iraola is also departing Bournemouth this summer, despite the possibility of steering the team into the Champions League, reports the Liverpool Echo.At present, there is no clear frontrunner to fill the vacancy at Chelsea.
Alonso famously guided Bayer Leverkusen to its first ever Bundesliga title during an extraordinary unbeaten 2023-24 campaign, which also brought the DFB Pokal and a Europa League final appearance, where it was beaten by Atalanta.Alonso has been linked with a potential return to Liverpool amidst speculation surrounding Arne Slot's future at Anfield, with suggestions that the club are already in discussions with his representatives. Slot is facing increasing pressure at Anfield and was met with audible jeers during Saturday's fixture against Chelsea.Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with a return to Liverpool(Image: (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images))The Blues are planning to have a new head coach installed by mid-June.
Silva is also out of contract this summer, although Fulham have put forward a three-year deal to retain him.Liverpool, meanwhile, insists it has full confidence in the title-winning Dutchman Slot, but there is growing discontent amongst the fanbase.READ MORE: Jeremy Jacquet has already started preparing for Liverpool arrival ahead of summer moveREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid plan falls flat after Barcelona humiliationAlonso's connections to the Liverpool role stretch back to Jurgen Klopp's announcement that he would be departing, yet it was Slot who eventually secured the position. Alonso is reported to have rejected overtures from his former club before taking the Real Madrid job in the summer of 2025."At that time, I was focused, I had a big thing with the Leverkusen players, and we were really focused on that," Alonso later explained when asked about rejecting Liverpool.