According to highly reputable reports from the British media, Chelsea have made an approach to appoint a high level manager ahead of next season
As we all know, Chelsea will begin the 26/27 season with their sixth permanent manager of the BlueCo era.
Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Maurico Pochettino, Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior and now a new, external name will be next up in just four years of the current ownership group.
Over the last week or so, a number of names have been mentioned in passing. The likes of former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, as well as former Flamengo manager and Blues left back Filipe Luis.
One other name who has been mentioned a number of times is the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso. The 44-year old has not been in management since departing Los Blancos in January, but appears to be ready to get back into things.
Well, things may have developed. Indeed, as David Ornstein has this evening reported that the club have made an approach to appoint Alonso as their new manager. He states that the manager is open to the possibility, though nothing is decided yet. He also mentions that departing AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is a "strong contender".
This would be a very exciting appointment indeed. The work that Alonso did at Bayer Leverkusen truly can not be overstated. To take over a team not far above the Bundesliga relegation zone and within 18 months take them to an invincible league title is the stuff of legend.
Not only did they win the Bundesliga unbeaten that season, but they also won the DFB Pokal, and reached the Europa League final, where they lost to Atalanta. That defeat was their only loss of the season in 53 games. An absolutely incredible feat, it truly is.
Fear not about his time at Real Madrid. Things have not got any better since he left, in fact they have got even worse. It's clear a dressing room full of entitled, spoiled players who refuse to press were never compatible with a philosophical manager like Alonso.
Those that may be worried he only plays a three at the back, you should also not worry. He played with a back four as manager of Real Sociedad B, and also at Real Madrid. I know what you're thinking about the latter, but he won 14 of his first 15 games and still yielded some very good results, including a win over Barcelona in El Clasico.
Certainly one to keep an eye on.
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