Chelsea are reportedly advancing in their discussions with Xabi Alonso, though the Frenchman is looking for clarity around his role and the club’s long-term vision before committing to the position of head coach.

Alonso remains cautious after a difficult spell at Real Madrid, where his tenure ended just seven months into what had initially been a three-year contract. Despite that setback, he has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Liam Rosenior, who was dismissed last month after only 106 days in charge. Reports suggest that members of the Chelsea squad are open to Alonso’s appointment, which could help smooth his potential transition into the role.

The club have been working through a shortlist of at least five names. Among those under consideration are Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola—who has already confirmed he will depart his current role at season’s end—and Fulham’s Marco Silva. Both have held discussions with Chelsea representatives, but talks with Alonso appear to be gathering the most momentum. His reputation, shaped both by an illustrious playing career and a promising start in management, makes him an especially attractive option.

Now 44, Alonso enjoyed significant success on the pitch, winning major honors including the Champions League with Liverpool, along with domestic league titles during spells at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. His coaching career has also begun impressively. In 2024, he led Bayer Leverkusen to a historic Bundesliga triumph, going the entire league campaign unbeaten, while also guiding the side to the Europa League final.

He later took over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, but his time there proved short-lived. Strained relationships with influential players are believed to have contributed to his departure.

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Reflecting on the situation, Real president Florentino Pérez defended the decision to appoint Alonso, pointing to challenging circumstances. In an interview with La Sexta, Pérez highlighted the lack of a proper pre-season due to commitments such as the Club World Cup, which disrupted the squad’s physical preparation. The congested schedule, combined with 28 injuries across the season, undermined consistency. Although attempts were made to address the problems through transfers, any improvement proved temporary and results soon declined again.

Convincing Alonso to join Chelsea—who currently sit ninth in the Premier League and are likely to miss out on Champions League qualification—has been viewed internally as a major hurdle. However, initial conversations with the Spaniard and his representatives have reportedly been encouraging, suggesting a deal could be achievable.

Alonso remains a highly respected figure at Liverpool, where he spent five years as a player between 2004 and 2009, lifting both the Champions League and the FA Cup. The current Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, is facing scrutiny due to a dip in form, although the club are expected, at least for now, to continue backing him.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have endured a turbulent season. They parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day following a breakdown in relations with club leadership. His successor, Rosenior, struggled to establish authority within the squad and was ultimately dismissed on April 22 after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Despite the instability, Chelsea have still managed to reach the FA Cup final, where they will face Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday. Interim head coach Calum McFarlane will take charge for the occasion. He confirmed that wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto have returned to training after recent injury concerns, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is also back in contention after missing the 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

Could Xabi Alonso still manage Liverpool in the future?

If Alonso were to take over at Chelsea, it would not necessarily close the door on him one day becoming Liverpool manager—but it would complicate that pathway.

Liverpool’s strong emotional connection to Alonso, built during his highly successful playing spell, makes him a natural candidate in the eyes of supporters. However, a move to Chelsea—one of Liverpool’s direct domestic rivals—would inevitably alter how he is perceived. History shows that managerial paths between top Premier League clubs are rare, especially when emotional ties are involved.

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That said, modern football is increasingly pragmatic. If Alonso were to succeed at Chelsea, proving himself in the Premier League and establishing a long-term reputation as an elite coach, Liverpool could still consider him in the future, particularly if circumstances aligned—such as a vacancy at Anfield and sustained top-level performance on his part.

Much may depend on timing. If Liverpool remain stable under Arne Slot or his successor for several years, Alonso’s career trajectory could take him elsewhere. Conversely, if his stint at Chelsea is relatively short or transitional, the narrative around him returning to Liverpool could remain intact.

In short, taking the Chelsea job would not completely rule out a future at Liverpool—but it would make the journey more complex, both professionally and emotionally.