Chelsea exploring deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as new head coach

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyChelsea exploring deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as new head coach NurPhoto / Getty Images Share article1Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach. The Spaniard is open to the possibility, but at this stage nothing is decided as the process to hire a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior continues, with outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola also a strong contender. Alonso, 44, has been out of management since being sacked by Real Madrid on January 12 and replaced by the club’s reserve team coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Alonso was just seven months into the three-year deal he signed when he succeed Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, and joined the Spanish club having guided Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2023-24. Chelsea parted company with Rosenior on April 23 after less than four months in charge, having been appointed following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January, with Calum McFarlane placed in interim charge until the end of the season. The Athletic reported this month names on the club’s new head coach shortlist included Alonso, Iraola, and Fulham’s Marco Silva. Madrid won 10 of Alonso’s first 11 La Liga matches at the helm, including the October 24 Clasico against Barcelona, but were in second place and four point behind Barca at the time of his sacking, and had just lost the Supercopa de Espana final to Hansi Flick’s side. Alonso joined Madrid after 18 months in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, during which he guided the Bundesliga club to their first title in 2023-24 with an unbeaten domestic season. They also reached the Europa League final, losing to Atalanta. The former midfielder spent five years at Madrid as a player between 2009 and 2014, winning five trophies including one Champions League title, having joined the club from Liverpool. Iraola, meanwhile, confirmed in April he will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of this season. He joined the club from Rayo Vallecano to replace Gary O’Neil in June 2023 and has won admirers for the Vitality Stadium club’s attacking and entertaining style of play. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms