Xabi Alonso is the new favourite to be named Chelsea head coach, according to William Hill.
Alonso has been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid in January – a move that now looks shortsighted with the Spanish giants struggling under his successor Alvaro Arbeloa.
His success at Bayer Leverkusen, which included leading the club to their maiden Bundesliga title, and his modern approach of high energy and high press means he is still one of the most sought-after coaches on the market.
He has been linked with a host of clubs but he jumped to the top of the market for the vacancy at Stamford Bridge over the weekend with Andoni Iraola falling in the betting.
Liverpool also keen on Alonso if Slot goes
Intriguingly, Alonso is also favourite for the Liverpool job if they decide to sack Arne Slot following a disappointing season.
Liverpool have all but secured a place in next season’s Champions League but their hopes of defending the Premier League crown they won so impressively in the Dutchman’s first season at Anfield evaporated several months ago.
Reports suggest Slot will be given the chance to lead another summer rebuild but Liverpool’s stance may change if they fear Alonso, who played for the club between 2009 and 2015, is being lined up to go elsewhere.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Xabi Alonso’s rapid ascent to the top of the market for the Chelsea job has been one of the standout shifts we’ve seen in our manager markets this week.
“The sustained support for the Spaniard suggests he’s firmly on the club’s radar, and he’s surged into favouritism following Chelsea’s home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Monday.
“Should the opportunity open up at Liverpool, Alonso is also 1/3 favourite to take the wheel at his former club, and following an underwhelming campaign at Anfield this season, a return to Merseyside is far from ruled out.”
Carrick odds-on to remain Manchester United boss
It promises to be a summer of managerial changes with potential job openings at Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, who have to decide whether to hand interim boss Michael Carrick the gig on a permanent basis.
The bookies certainly think it is trending in that direction with Carrick 1/5 to sign a long-term deal at Old Trafford.
William Hill – manager specials:
Next Permanent Chelsea manager odds
| Xabi Alonso | 13/8 | ||
| Andoni Iraola | 3/1 | ||
| Marco Silva | 9/2 | ||
| BAR | 5/1 |
Next Permanent Liverpool manager odds
| Xabi Alonso | 1/3 | ||
| Andoni Iraola | 11/2 | ||
| Luis Enrique | 6/1 | ||
| BAR | 10/1 |
Odds on Manchester United manager on August 22, 2026
| Michael Carrick | 1/5 | ||
| Andoni Iraola | 6/1 | ||
| Oliver Glasner | 16/1 | ||
| BAR | 16/1 |
