It is reported that the Liverpool board took Xabi Alonso's decision to become Chelsea's head coach very hard. The Spanish specialist's agreement to lead the London club has caused serious dissatisfaction and disappointment among the Merseyside hierarchy.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool had planned to bring Alonso to the team as early as the summer of 2024. At that time, following Jurgen Klopp's departure, the Merseyside club wanted to start a new era with their former player.
However, Xabi Alonso did not accept Liverpool's offer at the time. He was not in a hurry to return to England and later accepted an offer from Real Madrid. This situation alone was unpleasant for Liverpool's management, but Alonso's choice of Chelsea has further complicated matters.
According to the source, the owners of FSG, who own Liverpool, were deeply upset upon hearing last week that Alonso had agreed to become Chelsea's head coach. The club's management had long viewed the Spanish specialist as one of the primary candidates for a potential return to Anfield.
Liverpool is not a foreign club to Alonso. He defended the colors of the Merseyside club as a player between 2004 and 2009. During that period, the Spanish midfielder won the fans' hearts, became a key figure in the team, and left a significant mark on the club's history.
Therefore, his choice of Chelsea seems doubly painful for Liverpool fans and management. On one hand, there is the former player joining a rival club, and on the other, the fact that he previously rejected Liverpool's offer.
Reports suggest that it was following this situation that Liverpool decided to keep Arne Slot as head coach. Although the team has not performed as expected this season, the club's management prefers to maintain stability rather than change coaches for now.
There is also a practical calculation behind this decision. Finding the right candidate in the managerial market is not easy, especially after an option like Alonso chooses another club. Thus, Liverpool has chosen to continue with the current project and give Slot another chance.
In short, Xabi Alonso's move to Chelsea has caused a major stir in English football. Liverpool wanted to bring him home, but the Spanish specialist chose a different path. Now, the only right response for the Merseyside club is to put the disappointment aside and respond with results on the pitch.
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