Who should be the next manager of Chelsea? Well, if you ask the fans, a large section would want Xabi Alonso to be handed the post. The Spaniard’s time at Real Madrid might not have been a grand success but he proved himself at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga against all odds and expectations.
When Alonso had arrived at Bayer Leverkusen, they were relegation contenders. He took that same team to a sixth-place finish. The following season, they won the league without losing a single game in the Bundesliga.
Alonso also did all this while working with youngsters. That should be a good fit for this current Chelsea squad. On paper, it makes all the sense in the world. And it appears that the Blues board seem to think so as well.
According to TyC Sports, after the departure of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea are advancing for Alonso. The Spaniard is emerging as the main one to take over the position.
Xabi Alonso is the best option available right now
When you look around the pool of managers that are available at the moment, Alonso will top that list. And quite comfortably.
His record in Germany was tremendous. He took a Bayer Leverkusen side that looked completely lost and turned them into champions in just a year. In the process, he got the better of Bayern Munich, who were managed by none other than Thomas Tuchel at the time.
Obviously, Alonso’s time at Real Madrid did not go as he would have hoped. The Spaniard returned to his former club but did not last even a full season.
That being said, that might have had more to do with the dressing room dynamics rather than what he was producing as a coach. Also, it is safe to say that Real Madrid have been on a downward trajectory since he left. So, Alonso might not have been the issue there.
Which other managers are Chelsea being linked with?
Of course, Alonso is not the only manager who appears to be on Chelsea’s radar at this point in time. There are quite a few others.
It looks like the Blues will be focusing on Premier League or top-level experience when it comes to hiring their next head coach. And Andoni Iraola has emerged as one of the frontrunners as well, as he is set to leave Bournemouth as a free agent.
Fulham’s Marco Silva is another contender. And former Chelsea midfielder has also been linked with the post after an excellent season with Como FC.
