As well as being of interest to Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso was a surprise candidate for Chelsea this summer too, before his announcement he’d be staying where he is.
That’s according to Fussball Transfers, who say Chelsea had also eyed the Basque coach as a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino.
Alonso announced his decision to remain at Leverkusen on Friday, putting an end to intense speculation about his future at the club this summer.
He had been heavily linked with both the Bayern Munich and Liverpool jobs, with both of his former clubs in the market for a new manager at the end of the season.
Instead, he has disappointed both by remaining loyal to Leverkusen, and it seems, Chelsea can also add themselves to the list of disappointed suitors.
According to FT, they had also gathered information on Alonso as a potential replacement for Pochettino, whose chances of remaining in charge in the summer are slim.
The Argentine has found himself under consistent pressure this season after something of a disappointing campaign following his arrival in the summer and the growing disconnect between him, the squad and fanbase has led to suggestions he could be moved on.
Alonso was a candidate to replace him, according to FT’s information, but that has now been put to bed after his decision to remain in Leverkusen for at least another year.
