Liverpool fans have an affinity with Xabi Alonso but he could end up elsewhere in the Premier League this summer — as much as anything, because his other choices are so limited
04:00, 14 May 2026
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid press conference.
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid press conference.(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
When Xabi Alonso moved into coaching, he was in no rush. He had offers to leave Real Sociedad's B team long before he did, and then chose Bayer Leverkusen after careful consideration.
The ex-Liverpool midfielder did so well in Germany that he could have left earlier, but bided his time. He did a year longer in the Bundesliga than many imagined he would, and then chose Real Madrid.
That, of course, did not go to plan, but amid the chaos that is unfolding at the Bernabeu at the moment, there is context there. Most clubs will now disregard that period of his career and focus on the other bits.
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Alonso remains one of the most promising young coaches around. And yet, he could end up making a surprise move this summer as he looks to get back behind the wheel.
If Alonso does end up taking the Chelsea job — just like the rest of the contenders, including Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner — he will be taking a massive risk.
The Blueco model involves a lack of input in certain crucial elements of running the team, and the transfer model — including handing out eight and nine-year contracts — looks ill-advised to put it mildly.
"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..." Bolo Zenden warned this week.
"Those are not just scratches. They are scars, and it might harm your managerial career."
Former Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso.
Former Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso.(Image: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
It is a fair point, and there would be a chance that going to Chelsea could backfire spectacularly, but there is a flip side too. Where else in Europe is Alonso going to go?
Having already won the league with Bayer Leverkusen, there would be little point in going to Bayern Munich. In any case, Vincent Kompany is not going anywhere right now.
In Spain, Alonso has already been at Real Madrid; it is therefore hard to see him going to either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid and neither is on the hunt for a new manager anyway.
At PSG, there is no reason for Luis Enrique to move on. Given Serie A is not at the level that it once was and the Portuguese top division is some way behind, that leaves the Premier League as the obvious next destination.
If Liverpool isn't set to have an opening and Alonso isn't going to be in the running at Manchester United, who might just stick with Michael Carrick anyway, there are not loads of other options that remain.
Pep Guardiola might leave Manchester City and Alonso has been touted as a candidate there, but Enzo Maresca appears to be the favorite. Tottenham is unappealing and has just brought in Roberto De Zerbi, while Mikel Arteta is likely to still be at Arsenal.
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Quite simply, that might leave Chelsea as the only one left.
Would that make it harder for Alonso to become Liverpool boss at some point down the line? It is difficult to say.
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The likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho and others have worked for multiple big six clubs in recent years, though. Maresca, if Guardiola does leave, might become the latest this summer.
And with the Premier League now so much richer than every other league around Europe, having eaten up all the best players and the attention from elsewhere, it is a pattern that is likely to continue.
As Alonso plots his next move, it might be something he has to consider. Chelsea doesn't look to be a perfect fit. It might, though, be the only one if he isn't prepared to wait.