Xabi Alonso will have to make a big decision if he receives an offer from Chelsea.
Chelsea’s managerial position remains an attractive option for leading managers, but they are also aware that other jobs are available this summer.
Alonso’s dream job is to manage Liverpool, but there are currently no openings at Anfield.
He wants to manage in the Premier League and despite what you have heard and read, he would take the Chelsea job in the right circumstances.
Liverpool fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Arne Slott after a difficult and underwhelming season.
Slott remains backed by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, with Alonso potentially set to return to management.
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The Anfield crowd was not happy with Arne Slott’s decision to replace Rio Ngmoha with Alexander Isak in Saturday’s game against Chelsea.
Chelsea are still considering a list of five or six names and are in contact with representatives of the managers on the shortlist.
Under American ownership, Chelsea have not been able to properly appoint a manager. They want to take their time before making a commitment, and new men should be experienced and have a track record of success at the highest level of the game.
Based on that criteria, Alonso is currently the most likely candidate, but Chelsea are said to be considering other unnamed candidates.
Chelsea’s other candidates known to Sky Sports News are Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Fulham manager Marco Silva.
Meanwhile, the names of Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Como’s Cesc Fabregas and former Flamengo manager Felipe Luis are also being considered.
Carla: “If Alonso joins Chelsea, it will become even more difficult to manage Liverpool”
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Jamie Carragher has addressed Xabi Alonso’s links with Chelsea, saying he would choose to join Chelsea if Liverpool were interested in a new manager.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher talks about Monday Night Football:
“I always thought that Xavi would one day manage Liverpool. When you manage Chelsea, Liverpool’s rivals, it becomes a bit more difficult.
“I don’t know how you go from Chelsea to Liverpool, it’s probably a little further down the road, but he has to do what’s best for him now.
“There will be some Liverpool supporters who look at the situation and say he’s the player they want. With Arne Slott, it’s no longer 50-50.
“People outside the club may not be able to look at it and understand that he won the league last season and looked like he was going to be in the Champions League this season, but that drop has been so significant that it hasn’t improved over the course of the season.”
“What worries me about Liverpool and Arne Slott is whether he can become like Erik ten Hag and have a great first season, a very poor second year and then continue to build on that first season.
“Then, in October or November, the results continue to be poor and the manager has to be replaced. That’s the concern of Liverpool supporters. But from what we’re hearing, Arne Slott will be given another chance next season.”
“But there will be a feeling among many Liverpool fans that Alonso is there and if they want him he will come.
“But the club seems to have made a decision about the slot. The fact that Alonso is in talks with Chelsea says a lot, because if he had a feeling that there might be a change of manager at Liverpool, I think he would go to Chelsea.”
