Chelsea undertook our current managerial search with the stated intent of doing our full diligence after a period of “self-reflection”, but it would appear that we have found our preferred candidate and we are now wasting no time in trying to get him to agree to become our next manager head coach.
And that’s probably a good move on our part, especially considering that the Liverpool job might become available here in the next few days as well, and the commonly accepted wisdom is that Xabi Alonso would prefer to return to the team where he established himself as a global superstar midfielder back in the day, rather than the team who were one of that team’s greatest rivals.
An exclusive from [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/05/15/xabi-alonso-frontrunner-chelsea-land-manager-fa-cup-final/) tonight claims that Chelsea are hoping to make this appointment “within days of the FA Cup final”. And we’re certainly not talking too many days, just “a few days or 10 days”, according to their source. While Alonso is not specified as the coach we’re hoping to appoint — surprise as Marco Silva walks out from behind the curtain! — the former Real Madrid manager has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the job, at least from our end.
From Alonso’s end, the 44-year-old is said to have been “seeking assurances” that he will have some say, and maybe even some control over certain (obvious) aspects of club policy, such as transfers and squad construction. BlueCo have not granted this to any of our recent hires, but are apparently willing to make this clear change in policy and are ready to give Alonso a “more meaningful” role, and have him be “an equal partner in the identification and signing of players” with a “big say” in the “characters” of our transfer targets. So, you know, like a normal manager.
After the FA Cup final tomorrow, we will have just two, relatively meaningless games left of this season: Spurs at the Bridge on Tuesday (last home game), and then the final matchday on Sunday (away to Sundarland). Presumably Alonso (or whoever) won’t be officially announced until then, though maybe we get the positive vibes started as soon as possible and make the announcement (especially if it’s Alonso) as soon as we can.
See More:
* [Chelsea FC: Transfer Rumours & News](/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news)