Xabi Alonso has responded to Chelsea's approach to take over as head coach after Arne Slot made an emphatic statement on his Liverpool future earlier in the day
17:58, 14 May 2026Updated 18:17, 14 May 2026
Xabi Alonso during his spell at Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso during his spell at Real Madrid.(Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is open to taking over at Chelsea this summer — but the Spaniard wants to have certain assurances in place before he accepts any proposal.
After being fired by Real Madrid in January, Alonso has been out of work. The expectation is that he will take a new role this summer, but after being bruised by his last experience, he needs to make the right decision.
Positive progress has reportedly taken place behind the scenes, however, after Chelsea sounded the 44-year-old out. With Liverpool set to stick with Arne Slot and few other major European jobs available, the Stamford Bridge side has spotted an opportunity to pounce after it fired Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca earlier in the campaign.
READ MORE: Arne Slot sends defiant response as Liverpool boss asked if he will be in charge next seasonREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Salah return, Slot addresses future, Diomande admission
According to The Times, while there are other candidates being considered, including Andoni Iraola, Alonso is the early frontrunner to be installed in West London.
It reports that while some viewed convincing Alonso to move to Chelsea as a potential challenge, the Blues saw a "positive" response when they contacted him.
Many Liverpool fans have expressed a desire to see Alonso in the Anfield dugout. The expectation, though, is that the Slot will retain his position despite a difficult season.
Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. Real Madrid appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as new coach on January 12, 2026 after coach Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent, a day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona, AFP reports. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso has emerged as one of the top targets for the Chelsea job(Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images)
With various mitigating factors — and Liverpool set to qualify for the Champions League — a year on from winning the Premier League title, Slot will get the chance to put things back on the right track.
"I don't think I’m deciding that alone, but I have every reason to believe I will be Liverpool manager next season," Slot said on Thursday.
"First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all, from all the talks we are having. So yeah, that is my take on it.
"Then it is also normal that criticism comes and we have all had our share — the players have had their share, the manager has had their share, 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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"If you don't have the best season, especially if you compare it with last season and the other season, maybe you have a different debate. But if you compare it to last season, this has definitely not been a great season."
Liverpool finishes the campaign with matches against Aston Villa and Brentford. It needs three more points to guarantee a spot in next season's Champions League.
Last weekend, Chelsea drew 1-1 with the Reds at Anfield. That retained the 10-point gap between the two teams in the Premier League standings.