Chelsea has made contact with Xabi Alonso over becoming the next head coach, and Liverpool has made it clear that it will stick with Arne Slot despite fan backlash
Xabi Alonso has not been under consideration as the next head coach at Liverpool, and the club intends to support Arne Slot despite the damning boos during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield.
Slot faced vicious boos at Anfield on two separate occasions against Chelsea, as fans continue to share frustrations with the head coach. The first negative reaction came when Slot substituted Rio Ngumoha, and the second came at full-time as the game ended 1-1.
Liverpool failed to beat a Chelsea side led by interim head coach Callum McFarlane, who is standing in for Liam Rosenior, who was fired. Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner to become the new Chelsea head coach, handing Liverpool fans a nightmare situation as their former star could help rebuild their Premier League rivals.
That’s according to David Ornstein, who discussed the latest news on Chelsea’s pursuit of Alonso. Ornstein spoke on NBC Sports before Tottenham hosted Leeds United on Monday.
“My information is that Xabi Alonso is not under consideration at Liverpool at all and that Liverpool fully intend to go into next season with Arne Slot as their head coach,” he said.
The update comes after multiple reports confirmed that Chelsea had made Alonso its top target and had initiated contact. Positive talks have continued, and Alonso is open to a Premier League move this summer.
Alonso was previously seen by fans as Slot’s successor at Liverpool, as the head coach has a complicated relationship with the supporters. Slot may have led Liverpool to its second Premier League title in 2024-25, but the team has struggled this season.
Succeeding Jurgen Klopp was an almost impossible task for any aspiring Liverpool coach, but the German did his best to welcome Slot and get the fans on his side when leaving the club. When Slot led Liverpool to the title in his first season, fans were delighted.
However, an unprecedented summer transfer window followed, as the $600 million spent was extremely out of character for Liverpool. While approximately $350 million was recouped from player sales, all new signings, other than Hugo Ekitike, have struggled to hit the ground running.
Slot is under pressure to turn things around at Liverpool next season
Slot is under pressure to turn things around at Liverpool next season
The dip in form has led to a trophyless season for Liverpool, though the club is on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League next year. The style of play has also been questioned, and Slot’s public fallout with Mohamed Salah also turned fans against him.
After persistently benching Salah, something that’s rarely occurred during his nine years at the club, the Egyptian called out Slot and said that he’d been thrown under the bus. Salah said that he barely had a relationship with Slot.
The incident occurred before Salah left for the Africa Cup of Nations, but he was welcomed back into the team upon his return. Salah then announced that he would leave Liverpool at the end of this season, after mutually agreeing to cancel the final year of his deal.
Several factors have led to Slot’s reputation deteriorating, but Liverpool’s owners have made it clear that he will continue as head coach. Alonso could return to Anfield next season if he agrees to become Chelsea’s next head coach.