Chelsea have already contacted Xabi Alonso as the Stamford Bridge hierarchy consider their options to replace the sacked Liam Rosenior. The 44-year-old Spaniard left Real Madrid in January 2026 and has emerged as the early favourite of the BlueCo regime ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher had his say on Sky Sports, a marked softening of his previous stance on the potential appointment. The pundit had earlier ruled out any chance of Alonso heading to West London, claiming his links to Liverpool and the historic rivalry between the two clubs would preclude it.
But with reports in The Athletic suggesting the tactician is really tempted by the project, Carragher conceded signing the Spaniard would be a huge deal for the London outfit:
“I think that would be a big coup for Chelsea, I am sure he would love to manage Liverpool one day but Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in European Football at the moment.”
Alonso remains in high demand despite a turbulent spell at the Bernabeu, where he was sacked just seven months into a contract following his stellar work at Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard is reportedly open to opportunities across Europe, especially in the Premier League, should the right project present itself.
Chelsea struggle to persuade Alonso in the turmoil at Stamford Bridge
The pursuit of the former Real Madrid boss comes in the wake of a deeply troubling 2025/26 campaign with the Blues having endured a torrid run of league results. They lost 3-1 to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, their sixth straight Premier League defeat, and ended their hopes of a top-five finish under interim boss Calum McFarlane.
The managerial merry-go-round at Stamford Bridge has only added to the impression of a fractured project. Reports have suggested Chelsea have agreed to give Alonso a greater say in transfers, a major concession from a regime previously accused of micro-managing its head coaches.
The Blues will have to fight hard to secure the Spaniard’s signature, with his former club Liverpool among those interested, where Arne Slot’s position has come under increasing scrutiny. Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva are credible options if BlueCo’s first-choice option prefers a Merseyside reunion instead. McFarlane will remain in charge as Chelsea play in the FA Cup final before a permanent appointment is made.