Speaking to Boyle Sports, former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden has urged caution over the possibility of Xabi Alonso becoming Chelsea’s next manager this summer.
Alonso has emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant position at Stamford Bridge, with few high-profile clubs currently seeking a new head coach. However, Zenden believes the Spanish tactician should think twice before taking the job.
“I’m cautious about Xabi Alonso taking over at Chelsea,” Zenden said. “I’m not sure if it’s the right move, and there are several factors to consider.”
“First, he has a history with Liverpool, and he’s never managed in England before. I remember working as an assistant to Rafa Benitez when he took charge of Chelsea. I saw firsthand how the fans reacted to him.”
“The supporters never fully accepted Benitez because of his Liverpool connection. Granted, Benitez arrived as a coach, not a player, but the situation could still be tricky. I think caution is needed.”
“Another point is that during his time at Real Madrid, Alonso was criticized for struggling to handle the egos of some star players.”
“I think he got used to the German model, where players are more willing to follow the coach’s instructions. But in Madrid, some players only played their own way.”
“What happens if some big names at Chelsea are left on the bench and the team fails to qualify for European competition? I believe a manager must carefully weigh his options.”
“Imagine going to Real Madrid, getting sacked after six to eight months, then moving to Chelsea and facing similar struggles—getting dismissed again. Those aren’t just ‘scrapes’; they’re ‘scars’ that could damage your coaching career.”