Xabi Alonso is likely to be in high demand this summer but he will be keeping a close eye on developments at Liverpool
Xabi Alonso in the dugout
Xabi Alonso is on Chelsea's shortlist as they look for a new head coach(Image: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP)
View 3 Images
If anything, events at Real Madrid since his departure in January have enhanced the reputation of Xabi Alonso. With hindsight, that he had already recorded a victory in El Clasico and, at the time of departure, had his side only four points behind Barcelona in La Liga was a minor miracle, considering how disruptive the dressing-room has turned out to be.
Kylian Mbappe appeared to be a player disaffected by Alonso’s management - the same Kylian Mbappe recently pictured on a yacht on holiday while recovering from injury. The same Kylian Mbappe who is the subject of a petition from Real Madrid fans insisting he leaves.
Alonso had a 71 win-percentage with a team that now has players fighting each other, a team that has just been beaten by champions Barcelona, who now have FOURTEEN more points than Real.
No, it is fair to say his cameo in Madrid has done no harm to Alonso’s standing in the game. And the job he did at Bayer Leverkusen only looks even more remarkable now that Bayern Munich have quickly re-established dominance.
When he went to Madrid, Alonso walked into a club that many suspected was heading for one of its dysfunctional phases. If he was offered and took the Chelsea job, he would be walking into a club that most people KNOW is in one of its dysfunctional phases.
And it is likely to remain that way as long as the current ownership model exists. Does Alonso really need a job that involves executives coming into the dressing-room as and when they want?
Arne Slot prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.
Arne Slot is under increasing pressure from supporters as a disappointing season draws to a close(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Does Alonso really need a job that would freeze him out of the recruitment process? The money would be good, of course. But Alonso can be patient.
For a start, he should wait to see what happens at Anfield over the next couple of weeks. All the vibes suggest Arne Slot will start next season as manager but if the unthinkable happened and Champions League qualification somehow eluded Liverpool, it is hard to see the Dutchman being reprieved.
It goes without saying that Alonso would be a very warm favourite to get the job if Slot was dismissed and that will probably be the case whenever the Liverpool job comes up. But if Alonso was offered and took the Chelsea job, it would certainly diminish his suitability for the Liverpool post in the future.
The 44-year-old would also have to consider how the Chelsea fanbase would take to him, in light of his strong affiliation with Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Real Madrid, embraces Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Xabi Alonso would be hot favourite to succeed Arne Slot if the Dutchman left Anfield(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
And it is hard to imagine him wanting to be in some sort of beauty contest with the likes of Andoni Iraola and Cesc Fabregas.
Alonso is a dynamic, relatively young manager. He can’t be expected to simply wait around and hope the Liverpool job comes up.
But he should bide his time. Let’s be brutally honest, if Slot is still at Liverpool at the beginning of next season, he will be under pressure from day one.
With the Liverpool role occupied, Alonso will be made alternative offers that will be hard to resist. But the poisoned chalice of Chelsea is not one of them.