Xabi Alonso: Former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach has dilemma of moving to Chelsea or waiting for 'dream' Liverpool job
Xabi Alonso has been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid earlier this year; Chelsea are looking for a permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was let go after just four months in charge; Alonso had been linked with the Liverpool role but Arne Slot looks set to stay
Tuesday 12 May 2026 14:51, UK
Xabi Alonso has a big decision to make if he is offered the Chelsea job.
Managing Chelsea is still an attractive option for leading managers, but they are also aware that other jobs will be available this summer.
Alonso's dream job would be managing Liverpool, but as things stand there is no vacancy at Anfield.
- Merson: Chelsea are in a mess - who would want the job?
- Chelsea 1-3 Nottm Forest - Report and highlights
- Chelsea news & transfers🔵 | FREE Chelsea highlights▶️
He wants to manage in the Premier League and - despite what you have heard or read - he would take the Chelsea job in the right circumstances.
Liverpool fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with Arne Slot after a difficult and underwhelming season.
Slot still retains the backing of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group against the backdrop of the possibility of Alonso being ready for a return to management.
Chelsea are still working through a list of about five or six names and contact has been made with representatives of the managers on their shortlist.
Under their US owners, Chelsea have not got it right when it comes to appointing managers. They want to take their time before making an appointment and the new man must be someone experienced and someone with a proven record of success at the highest level of the game.
Alonso is the outstanding candidate at the moment based on that criteria, but Chelsea are also considering candidates whose names are not in the public domain.
The other candidates Sky Sports News know Chelsea are interested in are Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham head coach Marco Silva.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Como's Cesc Fabregas and ex-Flamengo boss Felipe Luis are other names being considered.
Carra: More difficult for Alonso to manage Liverpool if he joins Chelsea
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:
"I always felt Xabi would manage Liverpool at some stage. When you manage one of Liverpool's rivals, which Chelsea are, it makes it a little bit more difficult.
"I don't see how you go from Chelsea to Liverpool, maybe a little bit down the road. But he has to do what's best for him right now.
"There will be Liverpool supporters looking at the situation and saying he's the one they want. It's not a 50-50 split on Arne Slot any more.
"People outside the club may look at that and not understand when he won the league last season and looks like he's going to get Champions League this season. But the drop-off has been so stark, and hasn't improved all season.
"My worry with Liverpool and Arne Slot is whether he's going to be a bit like Erik ten Hag, have a great first season, a really poor second and then keep their job based on that first season.
"Then you get to October or November and it's continued poorly, and you have to change the manager. That's a fear with Liverpool supporters, but it looks from what we're hearing that Arne Slot will be given another opportunity next season.
"But there will be a feeling from a lot of Liverpool fans that Alonso is there, and if they wanted him he would come.
"But it seems the club have made the decision on Slot, and it says a lot that Alonso is having talks with Chelsea because I think if he had an inkling that there might be a managerial change at Liverpool, I think he'd go there."
