Xabi Alonso finally answers why he's at Chelsea and not Liverpool

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Former Reds star Xabi Alonso lifts the lid on his blockbuster decision to snub Liverpool in favour of Stamford Bridge.For two out of the last three summers, Xabi Alonso has basically been at the top of every Liverpool fan’s wishlist to take over at Anfield.If you asked a Liverpool fan who they wanted in the dugout over two of the last three summers, the answer was almost always Xabi Alonso.There’s just something about the romance of a former Anfield hero returning to lead the club, especially after seeing him work absolute miracles over in Germany. For most supporters, he wasn't just a name on a shortlist he was the only guy they wanted to see walking out of that Anfield tunnel.Following Jurgen Klopp's departure from Merseyside in 2024, the Spaniard decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, despite being approached by Liverpool, Bayern Munich and others.

Nevertheless, that feeling will certainly re-emerge if Iraola does not get off to a fast start, or Alonso works wonders at Stamford Bridge.On Monday, speaking for the first time to the media he did an interview with BBC Sport since landing the Chelsea job, and he finally lifted the lid of why he ended up in West London, rather than at Anfield. How Xabi Alonso came to be Chelsea manager rather than Liverpool "Well, it is about timings.

I am looking forward to this challenge, a big challenge, and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs and I am looking forward to having success here."As one might anticipate, Alonso did not answer the question directly, but the first snippet of his quote "it is about timings" is the most revealing. 🗣️ "It's about timings."Xabi Alonso on being asked whether he was ever approached by Liverpool as he begins his new challenge at Chelsea, a club he describes as "one of the biggest". pic.twitter.com/9q2XqTZDlh— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 13, 2026At the time, all the reporting suggested that Liverpool board intended to stick with Slot and give him an extra season to turn things around. Have Liverpool missed out not appointing Xabi Alonso?