Xabi Alonso has already confirmed managerial dream as Chelsea tries to lure him
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Chelsea is looking to appoint a new manager this summer, and Xabi Alonso is reportedly one of the leading candidates for the role, with the Spaniard said to be open to a move to the Premier LeagueXabi Alonso is in contention to be the next Chelsea manager(Image: Getty Images)Xabi Alonso had already made clear his desire to manage in the Premier League before reports surfaced suggesting he is receptive to the Chelsea position.Liverpool legend Alonso features on the Blues' shortlist for a new permanent manager, following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior in April. Chelsea has entered into discussions with the Spaniard's representatives and, according to The Athletic, the 44-year-old is keen on taking the reins at Stamford Bridge this summer.This may come as a surprise to some, given Alonso's ties to Liverpool, where he lifted the Champions League as a player and had been tipped to replace Arne Slot following his tricky spell in charge at Anfield.READ MORE: Liverpool given Mohamed Salah transfer solution that could save club millionsREAD MORE: Liverpool told to replace Hugo Ekitike with 'energetic' signing fans 'would love'However, Slot is expected to retain his position despite mounting pressure and even jeers from his own supporters during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Alonso's thwarted return to Liverpool makes his willingness to take charge at Chelsea far less surprising.This is particularly the case given that he acknowledged two years ago, while still at Bayer Leverkusen, that the prospect of managing in the Premier League one day intrigued him.When the topic of working in the Premier League was raised during a pre-match press conference in April 2024, Alonso said: "You never know. At the moment, I have enough on my plate to think about, but I'm still young as a coach, and for sure it's a nice thought."Alonso was being talked about as a potential successor to Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)Alonso had just rejected Liverpool by pledging his future to Bayer Leverkusen when the Reds attempted to recruit the Spaniard as Jurgen Klopp's replacement.
This choice came after Alonso's extraordinary campaign with the German club.The former World Cup champion's standing hit unprecedented heights after guiding Leverkusen from the brink of relegation to an undefeated domestic double and the Europa League final in 2023/24.He stayed in Germany for another season, which proved more demanding, before accepting the Real Madrid position last summer, another of his previous clubs. Alonso departed his position in the Spanish capital after fewer than eight months at the helm.Poor results, doubts surrounding his tactical approach, and suggestions of discontent within the squad were rumored to be behind his departure, which was characterized as a "mutual agreement."Regarding his possible appointment at Chelsea, the Blues are targeting a new head coach by mid-June.Regardless of Champions League qualification, the club is gearing up for an active summer and intends to recruit at a minimum a new center-back, central midfielder, and left-sided winger.Alonso, given indications he is receptive to the Chelsea role, seemingly remains undeterred by the unsuccessful tenures of the Blues' managers under the club's current ownership in recent years.Rosenior lasted merely 106 days at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca's replacement, bearing the consequences of a disastrous sequence of results that appears set to cost Chelsea a Champions League berth.