Xabi Alonso: Chelsea closing in on appointing Spaniard as new manager

Chelsea The club is nearing the appointment of Spaniard Xabi Alonso as its next permanent head coach.

44, the former coach of Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, is expected to sign a four-year contract in the coming days.

The Stamford Bridge club were keen to find a replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month.

BBC Sport reported on Monday that Chelsea had begun contacting potential new managers, including Alonso, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner.

But former Real and Liverpool midfielder Alonso has emerged as the club’s preferred candidate and talks are now coming to a conclusion.

The club wanted to get the FA Cup final against Manchester City out of the way before making any information about their appointment public.

Talks have been ongoing for several weeks and Alonso is understood to be open to the job if he receives certain assurances.

Alonso is thought to be a potential move to Liverpool, where he spent five seasons as a player, as pressure has increased on Arne Slot in recent weeks after a disappointing season.

However, it is understood the Anfield club are preparing to remain in the Slot next season – although it remains to be seen whether Liverpool’s stance will change if the team fails to qualify for the Champions League.

Alonso has been unemployed since leaving Real in January after less than eight months in charge.

He led Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title without losing a game, as well as the German Cup in his first full season as senior club manager in 2023-24, before moving to the Bernabeu last summer.