Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is a leading candidate to land the Chelsea job, and his former rivals have made contact with him open to a Premier League move
19:17, 11 May 2026
Xabi Alonso is the lead candidate to become the next Chelsea head coach
Xabi Alonso is the lead candidate to become the next Chelsea head coach(Image: Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso is currently the lead contender to become the next head coach of Chelsea, and the Premier League club has already made contact with the former Liverpool midfielder.
Alonso has been a free agent since abruptly leaving Real Madrid earlier this season and has been linked with several high-profile roles. Alonso was rumored to become Liverpool's next coach, but the club hierarchy is committed to Arne Slot despite an underwhelming season.
Liverpool's decision to stick with Slot could see a former hero join Chelsea, as Alonso is reportedly keen on a Premier League job this summer. Chelsea has a stacked shortlist, but Alonso is thought to be at the top of the priority list.
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That's according to soccer correspondent Ben Jacobs and TalkSport, who claim that Alonso and Chelsea have made contact over a permanent role starting this summer. Chelsea has been without a head coach since parting ways with Liam Rosenior.
The report claims that Alonso is open to coaching in the Premier League, though his stance on the Chelsea job remains unclear. However, Chelsea wishes to move quickly and have a new head coach in place before the start of the FIFA World Cup.
With the competition kicking off in Mexico on June 11, that leaves Chelsea with exactly one month to make a new hire. Alonso is one of several names on the shortlist.
Alonso was tipped as Arne Slot's successor at Liverpool
Alonso was tipped as Arne Slot's successor at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Fulham head coach Marco Silva is also considered to be a contender, as is Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola. Silva has been linked with a departure this summer, with Benfica reportedly interested, as Jose Mourinho is linked with the vacant Madrid role.
Iraola has already announced that he will leave Bournemouth, with his next club yet to be announced. Other names on the shortlist include Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner and former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis.
Former Chelsea midfielder and current Como head coach, Cesc Fabregas, was initially seen as a frontrunner for the job. However, he is focused on his current role and has already secured a spot in Europe for the Italian club.
Alonso went from history with Bayer Leverkusen to disaster with Madrid
Alonso went from history with Bayer Leverkusen to disaster with Madrid(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alonso enjoyed a decorated playing career with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Madrid and Bayern Munich before entering coaching. He returned to Sociedad and began managing the reserve team before landing his first major role with Bayer Leverkusen.
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A stunning 2023-24 season saw Alonso lead Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic season as they completed the league and cup double. Leverkusen ended Bayern's dominance and achieved one of the best seasons in German history.
After sticking with Leverkusen for another season, Alonso agreed to become the next coach of Madrid. However, he left less than seven months later, despite having a 70.59 win percentage.
Madrid struggled after Alonso's exit and failed to win a single trophy this season. Madrid also has a long shortlist, but Mourinho has been linked with a sensational return.