Xabi Alonso would have 'preferred' Liverpool job over Chelsea - 'That is very personal'

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SportFootballLiverpool FCFormer Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes says Xabi Alonso was within his rights to accept the Chelsea jobFormer Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes says Xabi Alonso was within his rights to accept the Chelsea job once it became clear Fenway Sports Group were sticking by Arne Slot at Anfield.Alonso was officially confirmed as the new manager at Stamford Bridge over the weekend with the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss slated to take charge on July 1.Alonso had been out of work since January when Real Madrid relieved him of his duties and speculation had persisted about the 2005 Champions League winner replacing Slot in the Anfield dugout following a deeply disappointing term on Merseyside that has seen the Reds lose 19 times across all competitions.Morientes, who was Alonso's former Liverpool and Spain team-mate, said his ex-colleague could not hold out for the Anfeld job forever but admitted he would have preferred to have taken charge at the club he represented for five years between 2004 and 2009.READ MORE: Liverpool 'have to be careful' with Arne Slot as Alexander Isak issue addressedREAD MORE: 'Mohamed Salah's Liverpool statement was madness and lacked class, Reds legends wouldn't do it'"That is very personal," Morientes told BetBrothers. "If he wants to coach, Liverpool do not call him but Chelsea do, Chelsea is still a huge club in a great city."When you are starting out you cannot always follow your heart.

If he had both options, I imagine he would prefer Liverpool."But if only Chelsea come in and he wants to coach, it would be a very good move."I said it from the moment he left [Real Madrid]. A lot of people can now say it was a bad decision and call me opportunistic, but I said it as soon as Xabi Alonso was sacked.

So yes, I think his departure was rushed."Liverpool return to action when they entertain Brentford in the final match of the season on Sunday afternoon.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