Over the last 24 hours, all the signs indicated that Xabi Alonso would be appointed as Chelsea’s next manager, but now, a deal to hire Alonso has reportedly stalled.
Alonso has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chelsea job and BlueCo are hopeful that the Spaniard will accept their offer. The noise is positive, with Alonso supposedly keen to take the job ahead of 2026-27.
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Chelsea have set a deadline for their next managerial appointment, with the club hoping to have a new gaffer in place by the middle of next week for two reasons. One, so the new gaffer can help with transfers.
Two, so he can be in charge of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, with Chelsea’s first pre-season game scheduled for July 28 against Western Sydney Wanderers. But a new report puts it in doubt.
Xabi Alonso is delaying a response to Chelsea
According to The Independent, Chelsea have made an offer to Alonso, and there is confidence within the ranks that the Blues will hear good news back from the former Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid star.
However, the report from the Independent indicates that Alonso is stalling on a reply to those at Chelsea. Indeed, he is waiting to hear back from his favoured move in the Premier League, those at Liverpool.
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Indeed, it is claimed that Alonso would prefer a move back to Anfield this summer. Arne Slot remains in charge at Liverpool but some sections of the Anfield support would like Liverpool to sack the Dutchman.
Jamie Carragher has said that he would be surprised if Alonso took the Chelsea job because of the rivalry with Liverpool in the past. On Monday night, Carragher said he reckons Alonso would love the Reds gig.
David Ornstein makes Liverpool’s stance clear
So, Chelsea’s chances of hiring Alonso hinge on whether Liverpool are interested in sacking Slot and bringing Alonso back to Anfield, 17 years after his £30m move to Real Madrid way back in 2009.
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Ornstein told NBC Sports ahead of Tottenham’s draw with Leeds that the Reds are not considering a move to sack their current manager, and that they have no intention of appointing a new manager.
With two games left to play this season, the Reds remain in the Champions League places, and while Liverpool have gone backwards, Slot looks set to stay put. But Alonso is delaying a response, anyway.
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