Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has given his take on Xabi Alonso's talks with Chelsea and suggestion of a potential return to Anfield, despite Arne Slot still getting support from the club's hierarchy
Former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has been linked with the managerial roles at Chelsea and Liverpool.
Former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has been linked with the managerial roles at Chelsea and Liverpool.(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
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Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool how they may rue missing out on appointing Xabi Alonso as manager altogether if he moves to Chelsea. The former Reds midfielder is being heavily linked with the Stamford Bridge hot seat this summer, with Chelsea having opened discussions as they weigh up a move for Alonso.
The Blues are in search of a new manager following Liam Rosenior's sacking last month. Reports have indicated that Alonso is open to accepting the Chelsea position, given the 44-year-old is currently without a club after being let go by Real Madrid in January following just eight months at the Bernabeu.
He continues to be in high demand, however, owing to his outstanding tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, and he has been mooted as a possible successor to Arne Slot as the current Liverpool manager faces mounting scrutiny.
Alonso's name has been the most frequently mentioned candidate to take charge should Slot be dismissed, but Chelsea could now pip the Reds to his signature.
"I can understand why they would go for Xabi Alonso," Carragher said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.
"It felt like, less than 12 months ago, he was the new kid on the block if you like in terms of big managers, you're thinking whether he could be the next... sort of like Pep [Guardiola].
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"Great playing career, then goes into management, has a great start, doesn't quite work out at Madrid, but I think Madrid made a mistake in getting rid of him.
"I think it would be a great coup for Chelsea. I just thought, maybe me kidding myself, obviously I've still got good relations with Xabi, but when players like Stevie [Gerrard] or Xabi go into management, I almost step back a little bit.
"I don't want to be the type of guy that's always asking questions or trying to find out something.
Jamie Carragher speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football
Jamie Carragher has given his thoughts on Chelsea's pursuit of Xabi Alonso(Image: Sky Sports)
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"I think he would love to manage Liverpool one day, I'm sure he would. But Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in European football right now."
When quizzed on whether Liverpool could be missing out on a golden opportunity if Alonso were to take charge at Chelsea, Carragher replied: "It might be, yes. I always felt Xabi would manage Liverpool at some stage.
"Now, I think once you manage one of Liverpool's rivals, as Chelsea are, I think it makes it a little bit more difficult. I don't see how you go from Chelsea to Liverpool, maybe a bit down the road, but I think it makes it more difficult.
"But he has to do what's best for him right now, and I think there will be Liverpool supporters right now looking at that situation thinking, 'That's the one we want.'"
For now, Liverpool are understood to be standing firm behind Slot, despite mounting frustration amongst the club's fanbase, and Carragher believes Chelsea's pursuit of Alonso speaks volumes.
"It looks like the club have made their decision on Slot, and it tells you they've made their decision on Slot in the fact that there's talks between Xabi Alonso and Chelsea," he added.
"If there was an inkling that Liverpool were interested in him, or he was going to go there and they were going to change the manager, I think he would go to Liverpool."