Chelsea close to appointing Xabi Alonso as announcement imminent on Liverpool favourite
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SportFootballXabi AlonsoFormer Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is set to become Chelsea's new manager, with the ex-Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss on the cusp of an agreement18:49, 16 May 2026Updated 18:55, 16 May 2026Chelsea are poised to name Xabi Alonso as their new manager, and the Londoners could even confirm the appointment on Sunday after speeding up discussions with the former Liverpool midfielder.Alonso has been lured to Stamford Bridge ahead of other leading candidates including Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva. Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner was also in contention, but they have all been eclipsed by Alonso.It would mark a significant coup for Chelsea given the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager remains considered amongst Europe's elite coaches, and has long been linked with the Liverpool job should the Reds decide to part ways with Arne Slot.Dutch boss Slot retains the support of the Anfield hierarchy though, with the Reds determined to stick with the Premier League title winner despite this season's struggles to qualify for the Champions League.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah releases bombshell statement and wants Liverpool to bring back Jurgen Klopp traitREAD MORE: Liverpool star backs Mohamed Salah's bombshell statement as another pointed message sentRemarkably, Alonso will become the SIXTH permanent Chelsea manager of the Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly era, following Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.Alonso has been engaged in negotiations after Chelsea approached several candidates - though it swiftly became apparent he was their preferred option, reports the Mirror.It signals a departure from appointing younger managers as Alonso brings a high profile, which may also indicate a shift in the club's approach.
Chelsea supporters have been demonstrating against the ownership, with around 200 gathering on Wembley Way to express their discontent.Maresca was dismissed just months after guiding the club to a European trophy, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. They have backed young players on lengthy contracts - yet it has failed to deliver results this season.The progress on Alonso comes following Chelsea's FA Cup final loss to Manchester City.
It ought to demonstrate Chelsea's resolve to return to silverware after a catastrophic campaign which resulted in Rosenior's dismissal following a dreadful spell.They now confront the prospect of missing out on the Champions League and could even be without European football next term.However, that hasn't prevented them from securing Alonso's services in a bid to return to the elite level.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageChoose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCXabi Alonso