Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool and Spain midfielder, is reportedly set to be imminently announced as the permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge
19:02, 16 May 2026
Xabi Alonso during his time at Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso during his time at Real Madrid.(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso appears to be on the verge of becoming Chelsea's latest head coach, with a four-year deal said to be in place for him to move to Stamford Bridge.
Alonso is widely reported to be on the brink of replacing Liam Rosenior in West London, with Chelsea having also employed Enzo Maresca this season. The Italian was let go amid speculation that he could take over from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, the team that beat Chelsea in today's FA Cup final.
According to The Athletic, the agreement between Chelsea and Alonso is fully complete. It is suggested by RMC Sport that the 44-year-old will have a greater say on transfers than previous people to hold the position.
READ MORE: 9 Liverpool stars react to Mohamed Salah's scathing message to Arne Slot and teammatesREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Salah statement, Arne Slot future, Alonso agreement
Alonso has been out of work since he was fired by Real Madrid earlier this calendar year. He previously won the Bundesliga at Bayer Leverkusen, ending a long wait for a league title.
As one of the game's most highly rated young coaches, the Premier League was the obvious next step. Chelsea is one of few options realistically available to him, given he would not have been interested in moving to Manchester United.
Arne Slot, meanwhile, said on Thursday that he would be in charge next season at Liverpool. Plenty of Reds fans have put forward the possibility of the Spaniard taking over after a difficult campaign.
Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool and Xabi Alonso the head coach / manager of Bayer Leverkusen during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"I don't think I am deciding that alone by myself but I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season," Slot said before the 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa.
"First of all, I am contracted to this club and second of all from all the talks we are having. That is my take on it.
"If you don't have the best season, especially if you compare with last season — if you compare it with other seasons you might have a different debate, but if you compare it with last season — this has definitely not been a great season, then it is also normal that criticism comes.
"We have all had our share, and with all I mean the players have had their share, the manager has had their share and other people in the club have had their share. That is how things work nowadays if you don't win the league."
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Liverpool concludes this season with a home game against Brentford next Sunday. It needs to win that match to be guaranteed of a place in the Champions League next term.
Liverpool.com says: Alonso is taking a big risk by going to Chelsea. It is a club that has been very unstable and is hardly the calm environment in which he has thrived in the past.
At the same time, though, he doesn't have many options available to him. Having managed in Germany and Spain already, the Premier League is the obvious next step.