Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager, but the Spaniard was hoping to take over at Liverpool.
According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, the 44-year-old manager was waiting for Liverpool to make a concrete offer after being sacked by Real Madrid. The former Liverpool midfielder wanted to coach the Merseyside club, but they never really followed up on their interest with an offer.
Instead, they have decided to stick with Arne Slot as the manager for the upcoming season as well. Liverpool have endured a forgettable 2025/26 campaign, and they finished fifth in the Premier League table. After winning the title last season, the Reds spent nearly £500 million on new signings.
However, Slot has failed to get the best out of his new arrivals, and the team has struggled to perform at a consistently high level. A managerial change could have been ideal for Liverpool this summer, but they have chosen to stick with the current manager. It will be interesting to see if he can turn things around.
Can Alonso succeed at Chelsea?
Meanwhile, Alonso has now taken over at Chelsea, and he will look to help them bounce back strongly. Chelsea have failed to secure European football for the upcoming season, and it will be a devastating blow for them. It will be a major hit to their revenues, and it could make it difficult for them to hold onto their best players as well.
It will be interesting to see if Alonso can convince the Chelsea players to stay at the club and help them bounce back strongly. They need quality signings during the summer transfer window to turn things around.
Also Read: Three players Chelsea should target under Xabi Alonso
The Spanish manager is obviously disappointed and upset that he never got to manage his former club, but joining Chelsea is an exciting proposition as well. The West Londoners are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with the platform to get his career back on track and win major trophies after the underwhelming spell at Real Madrid.