Xabi Alonso Weighs Chelsea Opportunity as Liverpool Sticks with Controversial Choice Arne Slot

XABI ALONSO faces a dilemma.

And how resolves the conundrum is set to have a big impact on the future of and .

Xabi Alonso is one of the candidates to become the new Chelsea head coach Credit: PA Alonso left Real Madrid in January Credit: Getty

The former Reds midfielder has at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile many and Alonso brought home to Merseyside, before Chelsea or other rivals snap him up.

But Anfield bosses do not share that enthusiasm. Partly because Alonso turned them down before, and partly because they believe Slot is not to blame for most of the issues which have led to a disappointing season.

So if Alonso and his representatives were hoping links to Chelsea would force Liverpool into action, they are likely to be disappointed.

And in those circumstances, the former and boss has a choice to make.

Accept the Chelsea job as the best one available, and hope he can succeed where five previous permanent bosses have failed under the current ownership.

Or bide his time, wait and see how Slot and the Reds get on next season, and be ready to ride to the rescue as a returning hero.

Some will find Liverpool chiefs’ reluctance to move for Alonso puzzling.

Liverpool fans want Alonso to replace Arne Slot Credit: AP The Spaniard previously spent five years with Liverpool Credit: PA:Press Association

But even if Kop bosses were minded to axe Slot, there are reasons they would not turn to their former star.

When the Reds were considering potential replacements for during the 2023-24 season, they approached Alonso, among others.

The Spaniard was on his way to delivering in what would be an unbeaten league season and therefore one of the world’s hottest coaching properties.

Alonso’s response to Liverpool’s overtures was a polite but firm “no”.

At Anfield, that was interpreted as a clear sign Alonso expected (or knew) the job at Real Madrid, another of his former clubs, would be his in a year’s time.

A former Kop favourite would surely not turn down the Reds for anyone else..

Slot was appointed instead and Alonso indeed made his way to the Bernabeu in 2025. Then after less than eight months in charge, amid poor results and a breakdown in the relationship with stars like and .

You can write that off as the usual Real nonsense. But it was hardly the greatest advert for Alonso’s ability to manage the superstar egos he would find in the dressing room of any true European giant.

In any case, Liverpool supremos Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes remain behind Slot, so Alonso’s credentials are irrelevant – for now at least.

On the back of the unexpected and historic title triumph in the Dutchman’s debut season, the Reds spent big last summer – more than £400m – in a bid to have a real go at winning the .

But the had a devastating impact, albeit one which no-one at Liverpool would ever use as an excuse.

Liverpool bosses are currently expected to back Slot, but they could reconsider if Alonso enters talks with Chelsea Credit: Getty Andoni Iraola is also being considered by Chelsea Credit: Getty

Integrating new stars like , and was always going to be a challenge. At a grief-stricken club it has been even harder.

On the field, Slot has been able to start Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike together only twice, thanks mainly to Isak’s injury problems. The Dutchman has simply had no chance to implement whatever plans he had for the trio.

’s physical issues have left the Reds short at right back, forcing and others to play out of position, and with a knock-on effect on new left back .

Add the drop-off in form of star men , , and , with the latter causing havoc with the public complaints, and Slot had all sorts of problems to address.

So Anfield chiefs have a lot of sympathy for him.

In any case, unlike Chelsea, Liverpool are on course to salvage Champions League football from what is supposedly a disastrous season.

Unless something dramatic happens, Slot will be given the chance to put things right next season.

Meanwhile Alonso is said to be eager to return to management as soon as possible.

In which case, Chelsea is likely to be his best option – or at least, the best-paid one.

The question is whether he, his representatives and Stamford Bridge chiefs can agree on an adaptation to the existing “project” which will prevent everything ending in tears a few months down the line.

If Alonso were to “fail” again at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, his stock would fall, regardless of the unique challenges of working for the Blues.

Another complicating factor is the fact Alonso and are represented by the same Spanish agency, IDUB.

Different agents are leading the efforts to find each man a different job. Chelsea remain interested in Iraola, despite claims Alonso is now their preferred candidate.

It would probably be easier for Iraola to bounce back from a bad spell at the Blues, his first “big” job, than for Alonso.

If decided not to give the managerial role on a permanent basis, Iraola would be a leading contender for the Old Trafford post.

Then Alonso could slot in neatly at Stamford Bridge. Job done for IDUB.

But if Iraola pushes for Chelsea, or vice versa, a delicate situation becomes even more sensitive.

Alonso was renowned as a player for keeping his composure while everything went mad around him.

He will need that quality in abundance as he decides what to do next. And even more so if he chooses Chelsea.