Chelsea are reportedly exploring the possibility of appointing Xabi Alonso as their new permanent head coach, with the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager open to the opportunity. However, no final decision has been made as the club continues its search for a successor to Liam Rosenior, who was dismissed in late April. Bournemouth’s outgoing head coach Andoni Iraola remains a strong candidate alongside Alonso.
Alonso, 44, has been out of management since being sacked by Real Madrid in mid-January, just seven months into a three-year contract. He was replaced by reserve team coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Before his brief stint at the Bernabéu, Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season, completing an unbeaten domestic campaign.
Chelsea parted ways with Rosenior after less than four months in charge, having appointed him following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January. Academy coach Calum McFarlane has been serving as interim head coach until the end of the season. According to reports, the club’s shortlist also includes Fulham’s Marco Silva.
During his time at Real Madrid, Alonso won 10 of his first 11 La Liga matches, including a Clásico victory over Barcelona in October 2024. However, the team sat second in the table, four points behind Barcelona, at the time of his dismissal, and had recently lost the Supercopa de España final to Hansi Flick’s side. Alonso spent 18 months at Bayer Leverkusen, where he also guided them to the Europa League final, losing to Atalanta.
As a player, the Spanish midfielder spent five years at Real Madrid (2009–2014), winning five trophies, including a Champions League title. He previously played for Liverpool for five years and was part of the Reds’ 2007 Champions League-winning squad.
Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola confirmed in April that he will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of this season. He joined the Vitality Stadium club from Rayo Vallecano in June 2023, replacing Gary O’Neil, and has earned praise for implementing an attacking, high-energy style of play.
Would Alonso and Chelsea be a good fit? The 44-year-old is known for a possession-dominant, high-tempo approach and a dynamic 3-4-2-1 system, though he showed flexibility at Madrid. Regardless of formation, his system typically features a midfielder dropping between center-backs, advanced full-backs, and a box midfield to control central spaces. Chelsea’s squad, with a few additions, could suit his style. While his stock fell after the Madrid experience, Alonso remains highly regarded for his Bundesliga success with Leverkusen.
As for Iraola, he has molded Bournemouth into one of the most aggressive, front-foot teams in the Premier League, ranking high for shot-ending turnovers through pressing. Chelsea also rank high in that metric, suggesting their young squad could adapt to his demands. Bournemouth’s strong showing this season is particularly impressive given last summer’s upheaval, highlighting Iraola’s ability to rapidly improve a team.