Former Liverpool and Chelsea player Bolo Zenden has moved to talk down suggestions that Xabi Alonso would be the ideal man to take over at Stamford Bridge this summer
17:50, 12 May 2026
Xabi Alonso during his short spell at Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso during his short spell at Real Madrid.(Image: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool and Netherlands winger Bolo Zenden has urged caution over Xabi Alonso and a potential move to Chelsea this summer, with the Stamford Bridge side on the hunt for a new head coach.
This weekend, Chelsea will play Manchester City at Wembley in the FA Cup final, with interim boss Calum McFarlane at the helm. It has already fired both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior this term.
Alonso has emerged as a candidate for the role after he was let go by Real Madrid in January. With few other major jobs around Europe likely to be available, the Spaniard may not have many options to choose from beyond Chelsea.
READ MORE: Joe Gomez makes admission on Liverpool future ahead of summer transfer windowREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher makes Xabi Alonso to Liverpool prediction amid Chelsea talks - 'I'm sure he would'
"I’d be cautious about Xabi Alonso to Chelsea," Zenden told Boyle Sports. "I’m not sure it’s a good idea and I think you have to take a few things in mind.
"First of all, he has a history with Liverpool and he’s not been a manager in England yet. Now, I remember when I was assistant coach to Rafa Benitez when he joined Chelsea. I was there and I saw what happened to Benitez with the Chelsea fans.
"They never really took him on because of his history at Liverpool. He was a manager there and not a player so it might be slightly different, but I’d be cautious.
Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. Real Madrid appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as new coach on January 12, 2026 after coach Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent, a day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona, AFP reports. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso has been strongly linked with Chelsea job(Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images)
"The other thing is when he was at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, there obviously was some criticism that he couldn't really cope with the star attitudes from certain players.
"And I think he was used to managing in Germany where the players are more likely to follow the manager, whereas when he was at Madrid, some just played their own game.
"How will that be at Chelsea if there are some bigger names on the bench and not playing in Europe? I think as a manager, you have to be really thoughtful of your choices.
"Because let's say if you go to Madrid and you get the sack after six or eight months, then maybe you move to Chelsea, it's not going well, you get the sack again... those are not just scratches, they are scars, and it might harm your managerial career."
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Alonso has already won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen. It seems unlikely that he would take another job in Spain. PSG is happy with Luis Enrique as it looks to retain the Champions League.
A move to the Premier League, therefore, might be the obvious next step. If there is no vacancy at Liverpool and he isn't going to join Manchester United, Chelsea might be the only option left on the table.
Manchester City might be another club in need of a new boss should Pep Guardiola leave, but there is no guarantee of that, and Maresca has been put forward as the most likely candidate at the Etihad Stadium.
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Liverpool.com says: It is hard to imagine anyone taking the job at Chelsea in some ways. It has proven to be a nightmare for several people in recent years. If Alonso wants to get back in the coaching game quickly, though, he might have to back himself.