Chelsea are accelerating their search for a new head coach, and Xabi Alonso has emerged as the leading candidate for the hot seat at Stamford Bridge.
According to The Guardian , Chelsea's management highly valued the initial discussions with the Spanish strategist.
Alonso has not taken on a new job since leaving Real Madrid at the beginning of the season. The 44-year-old coach made a big impact by leading Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024 and has been on Chelsea's radar for the past three years.
The London club believes internally that Alonso's ball-control style and approach to developing young players are a perfect fit for the current squad.
The reputation of the former Spanish national team midfielder is also seen as a factor in helping him control the dressing room and attract new players.
However, Chelsea has not yet made a final decision. Besides Alonso, the Stamford Bridge club is also closely monitoring Andoni Iraola, the coach who is making a strong impression with AFC Bournemouth. Chelsea is said to have met directly with Iraola to discuss the job.
Besides the two names mentioned above, Marco Silva of Fulham, Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace, and Filipe Luis are also on the list of players being considered.
Chelsea entered a period of self-reflection after sacking Liam Rosenior just months after appointing him to replace Enzo Maresca. One of the problems identified by the club was a lack of strength and fighting spirit in the squad, making Iraola an attractive option due to his high-intensity pressing style.
Meanwhile, Alonso's future remains uncertain. Some sources suggest he wants to take more time off rather than immediately return to the coaching bench.
Nevertheless, Chelsea remain optimistic about their ability to persuade the former Liverpool midfielder to usher in a new era at Stamford Bridge.
Source: https://znews.vn/chelsea-chon-alonso-post1651346.html
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