Xabi Alonso could be set for a return to the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports Chelsea is exploring the possibility of bringing in the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss as manager.
Alonso, 44, spent five seasons in England as a player with Liverpool, winning an FA Cup and the 2006 Champions League title.
The Blues, currently mired in a seven-match winless streak, are looking for a new manager after the firing of Liam Rosenior last month. Rosenior was hired on a six-and-and-a-half year deal in January to replace Enzo Maresca and was sacked after under four months in charge. Chelsea currently sits ninth in the Premier League table with two matches remaining. They appear set to miss out on Europe, barring earning a place through the FA Cup Final.
Alonso was fired by Los Blancos in January only months into a three-year deal. The World Cup-winning Spain midfielder had spent six seasons at the Bernabeu as a player, capturing a La Liga title, two Copas del Rey and the 2014 Champions League crown. He was replaced by former Liverpool, Real and Spain teammate Alvaro Arbeloa.
Prior to rejoining Real, Alonso spent three seasons as manager of Leverkusen following three campaigns as boss of the Real Sociedad reserves. In 2024, Alonso led Leverkusen to an undefeated domestic season, capturing the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal.
Ornstein cautions that, while Alonso is open to the possibility, Chelsea is not in the advanced stages of a managerial search. Outgoing Bournemouth boss, Andoni Iraola, is also in the frame for the job.
The Blues finish their season with Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Manchester City at Wembley before wrapping up their league campaign at home to Tottenham Hotspur and away to Sunderland.
