Chelsea ‘hold talks’ with Alonso as candidates contacted

Chelsea have reportedly “held initial talks” with Xabi Alonso over potentially becoming their next manager.

The 44-year-old is available after parting ways with Real Madrid in January, just seven months after signing a three-year contract last summer.

The Blues are conducting their search for a new head coach after sacking Liam Rosenior last month following a series of disappointing results.

Chelsea ‘hold talks’ with Alonso as candidates contacted

According to The Times, preliminary talks have been “cautiously encouraging”, but Chelsea are still at an “early stage” of the process. It is said they are “not close to agreeing a deal with a preferred candidate”.

The report adds that the west London outfit have also made contact with outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham manager Marco Silva, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis has been “discussed internally” as a possibility and there is another mystery candidate on their shortlist.

Alonso has been linked with taking the reins at Liverpool, with whom he played for five years, although reports suggest they are likely to stick with Arne Slot after guiding the club to UEFA Champions League qualification. He is reportedly “open to the possibility” of becoming the next Chelsea manager ahead of next season.

The 44-year-old began his coaching career with Real Sociedad’s B team before taking his first senior role at Bayer Leverkusen in 2022. He enjoyed a successful three-year stint with the German outfit, going unbeaten domestically in his second season to win the Bundesliga and German Cup double. Leverkusen also reached the UEFA Europa League final, which they lost to Atalanta in Dublin.

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