Xabi Alonso has emerged as the leading contender to take over at Chelsea as per the latest from reliable journalist Ben Jacobs.
Chelsea began the 2025/26 season with Enzo Maresca in charge, but inconsistent performances saw the Blues hierarchy make an early managerial change, replacing him with Liam Rosenior midway through the campaign.
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However, Rosenior’s spell at Stamford Bridge proved even more disappointing.
In typical Chelsea fashion under BlueCo, the club acted brutally swift and dismissed Rosenior, with Callum McFarlane stepping in as interim manager while the search for a permanent appointment continues ahead of the summer.
Chelsea make contact with Xabi Alonso as Ben Jacobs reveals latest
Andoni Iraola, who is set to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, has been a strongly linked with the job.
However, Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed by Real Madrid early on in the season, has now emerged as a ‘leading contender’ for the role.
According to Ben Jacobs, the Spaniard is open to the Premier League job.
Chelsea want to appoint a new manager before the World Cup starts and have already made contact with Alonso.
There are other managers under consideration as well including Fulham boss Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner.
Taking to X, Jacobs revealed:
“Understand Chelsea hope to appoint a successor to replace Liam Rosenior before the World Cup starts. Xabi Alonso is currently a leading contender and Chelsea have already made contact with the former Real Madrid and Leverkusen boss.
“Alonso is keen on a Premier League job this summer. Fulham’s Marco Silva and outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola both remain on the list. Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and ex-Flamengo coach Filipe Luis are new names under consideration…
“Luis was a name Chelsea discussed before appointing Rosenior with talks eventually centring on a potential switch to Strasbourg prior to Gary O’Neil’s appointment.”
? Understand Chelsea hope to appoint a successor to replace Liam Rosenior before the World Cup starts.
Xabi Alonso is currently a leading contender and Chelsea have already made contact with the former Real Madrid and Leverkusen boss. Alonso is keen on a Premier League job this… pic.twitter.com/LFfG6mUSZy
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 11, 2026
Alonso joining Chelsea will be a blow for Liverpool
Alonso’s potential move to Stamford Bridge could also come as a major setback for Liverpool.
Pressure continues to grow on Arne Slot following a disappointing campaign that has seen Liverpool struggle for consistency while concerns over dressing room harmony continue to intensify.
Slot has faced criticism for Liverpool’s underwhelming results, his handling of Mohamed Salah, and comments surrounding the club’s Champions League run.
Liverpool supporters have traditionally remained fiercely loyal to their managers, but growing frustration among the Anfield faithful could eventually force the hierarchy to rethink their long-term stance.
Alonso has long been viewed as the dream candidate to eventually succeed at Liverpool, with many supporters hoping to see the former midfielder return to Anfield as manager.
But it appears that the lack of approach from the Liverpool hierarchy has now seen Alonso become a favourite for the Chelsea job which would no doubt come as a big blow for Liverpool if they do decide to sack Slot in the summer.
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