It has now been 48 hours since Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the club’s new manager, but his decision to join the Blues has angered some Liverpool supporters.
Immediately after the defeat to Man City in the FA Cup final, reports emerged that Chelsea had agreed a deal for Alonso. Then, within 12 hours, Alonso’s four-year deal was confirmed and he will join on July 1.
It’s going to be a big summer for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea!
Xabi Alonso graphic
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Much has been made of Alonso’s move to Chelsea, with many surprised that Alonso had put aside his Liverpool allegiance to join the Blues. David Ornstein reported that Liverpool were not sacking Arne Slot.
On the other side of the coin, Chelsea fans are delighted that BlueCo have got a manager in with such a high calibre, and so quickly. Fernando Morientes, his former Liverpool teammate, has discussed the move.
Fernando Morientes defends Xabi Alonso for taking Chelsea job
Amid the initial reports linking Chelsea with Alonso, Jamie Carragher said Alonso wouldn’t take the job because of the rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea at the time. He’s been left with egg on his face.
But sections of the Liverpool support were annoyed that Alonso had joined Chelsea. Perhaps, more out of frustration at their own club for sticking with Slot. Morientes spoke about Alonso’s move to West London.
Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
“That is very personal,” Morientes told BetBrothers, as per the Liverpool Echo, on his old pal Alonso. “If he wants to coach, Liverpool do not call him but Chelsea do, Chelsea is still a huge club in a great city.
“When you are starting out you cannot always follow your heart. If he had both options, I imagine he would prefer Liverpool. But if only Chelsea come in and he wants to coach, it would be a very good move.
“I said it from the moment he left [Real Madrid]. A lot of people can now say it was a bad decision and call me opportunistic, but I said it as soon as Xabi Alonso was sacked. It seemed very premature.
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid vs. Olympique de Marseille
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“Projects are built around a clear leader, and that leader was Xabi Alonso. To remove the head of the project after three or four months when it had started well means starting everything from scratch again.
Morientes continued discussing Alonso’s Real Madrid exit, another club Morientes and Alonso have both played for: “It is not easy for things to work out, especially at big clubs. I think his departure was rushed.”
The four staff members Alonso has lured to Chelsea
It emerged on Tuesday that four of Alonso’s most-trusted staff members will join Chelsea when Alonso takes office in little under six weeks. Sebas Parrilla, his right-hand man, will follow Alonso to London.
Xabi Alonso’s first words as Chelsea manager!
What are you expecting from Alonso’s first season in charge?
The Argentine is Alonso’s most-trusted advisor, specialising in defending set-pieces. Alberto Encinas and Benat Lebaien will also join Chelsea’s coaching staff, both working with Alonso in his previous jobs.
Fitness coach Ismael Camenforte Lopez will also make the voyage to London, while interim manager Calum McFarlane will stay on Alonso’s coaching staff as is often the way when a new manager arrives.
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