Xabi Alonso has reportedly agreed to become the new manager of Chelsea, dealing a blow to any Liverpool supporters hoping the former player could replace Arne Slot this summer.
Alonso, who made 210 appearances for the Reds from 2004 to 2009, is now reported by the reliable David Ornstein of The Athletic to have agreed to join the London club.
It’s reported that Alonso has agreed a four-year contract and an announcement is expected imminently.
The Spaniard has previously been strongly linked with the Liverpool manager job when Jurgen Klopp announced his decision to leave the club two years ago.
At the time, Alonso opted to remain at Bayer Leverkusen, having led the German side to an unexpected league title – with a team featuring Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso and Florian Wirtz at Leverkusen (Liam McBurney/PA)
He then moved to Real Madrid last summer, where internal issues saw him leave Los Blancos in January.
Since then, there have been conflicting reports on Alonso’s potential for a return to Anfield; journalist in the UK have continually said Liverpool had no interest, while reports in both Spain and Germany claimed otherwise.
Even as recently as earlier this week there had been claims that Alonso was waiting for Liverpool to make their move.
For now, though, Liverpool’s public backing of Slot means there will be no change of manager at Anfield this summer.
However, that could change should the Reds fail to achieve the minimum aim of Champions League football – something that will now be decided on the final day of the season next week against Brentford.