Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali would like to hire Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso if the Blues sack Mauricio Pochettino, according to SportsZone.
The French news outlet claims that the Spaniard is “highly appreciated” by Eghbali, but Todd Boehly is not so certain about the appointment. There was a mixed reaction to the report among fans on X. Some would back Alonso to replace Pochettino while others are sceptical about whether he would be interested in the job:
Bring him in!!
Someone that is competing with Tuchel’s bayern— Y_z_Y (@BundleOfHissss) February 4, 2024
Would be cool but definitely not real information
— Seany (@CFCseany) February 4, 2024
Let’s get it done ASAP
— CFCStocks (@CFCStocks22) February 4, 2024
We don’t want another GP
— 28 (@CFC_Petrovic) February 4, 2024
He ain’t coming
— sam@cfc (@StephanusAmarfo) February 4, 2024
So Get Him
— Joe Kiyotaka (@AomineKenshiro) February 4, 2024
I doubt xabi would leave but with a Opening like Liverpool being clear there’s no way he would come to us
— 🍵 Quarantine Eli 🍵 (@ilikechamomile) February 5, 2024
Alonso does have other suitors
SportsZone report that Chelsea are not the only team who are interested in hiring the 42-year-old. He has been heavily linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, while Bayern Munich may also consider targeting him if they decide to sack Thomas Tuchel in the future.
Considering the other options available, it seems unlikely that Alonso would be keen on taking on such a massive task of turning Chelsea’s fortunes around.
Who is favourite to replace Pochettino as Chelsea manager?
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is currently top of the list at Sky Bet to become the Blues’ next head coach. Considering what happened with Graham Potter, though, Eghbali and Boehly may be hesitant about going down that route again.
Girona boss Michel is second favourite, with Jose Mourinho third in the running and Alonso joint 4th at 10/1 along with Zinedine Zidane and Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.
