Jamie Carragher has had his say on former Liverpool teammate Xabi Alonso potentially being the leading candidate to take on the vacancy at Chelsea when the season ends
19:26, 15 May 2026Updated 19:32, 15 May 2026
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.(Image: Sky Sports)
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says he will want Chelsea to do well if Xabi Alonso takes over as head coach of the Stamford Bridge side, as a result of their friendship.
Carragher and Alonso won the Champions League alongside one another at Anfield. The Spaniard, who has been out of work since being fired by Real Madrid in January, is the favorite to take the vacancy at Chelsea following Liam Rosenior's exit.
"If he does get the job, I'll probably want Chelsea to win a little bit more than I normally do with him being a former teammate," Carragher said on Sky Sports from Villa Park.
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"We'll see if Xabi gets the job, and if he does really well next season.
"That may be a masterstroke next season by not listening to the pressure of the supporters and sticking with the manager (Arne Slot) who's already won the Premier League."
Slot spoke on Thursday ahead of his side taking on Aston Villa about his feeling that he will still be in charge next term. The expectation is that Liverpool will stick with their boss rather than make a change.
Xabi Alonso during his spell at Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso during his spell at Real Madrid.(Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)
"I don't think I am deciding that myself alone," Slot replied when asked his thoughts on the situation following a tough campaign.
"I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season. First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having.
"Plans have been made and talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that, if that is what you want to know."
Liverpool finishes the season with a trip to Aston Villa and then a home game with Brentford. It needs three more points to guarantee a place in the Champions League.
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"If a manager or a club doesn't have their best season, there is always debate about that," Slot added.
"It is not only at Liverpool. It is all around the world. That is the new reality in football. It is not up to me to judge the people that judge me. They have every right to have their opinion.
"In this modern time, everyone can share their opinion. This happened 10-15 years ago, but then you did it in the pub and not everyone heard it.
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"Now it is also done in a pub. From what I am reading, they must have drunk a little bit [laughs]. That is a joke! But now it is much more out in the open."