Former Barcelona star Gaizka Mendieta believes Xabi Alonso will still have the Liverpool job on his mind, even though he is now Chelsea head coach. Alonso, who signed a four-year contract in May, began his new role at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
Alonso's Career and Chelsea Appointment
The 44-year-old was the favoured candidate of the Chelsea hierarchy throughout the process as they searched for a permanent successor to Enzo Maresca. A two-time Champions League winner as a player with Liverpool and Real Madrid, Alonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to a historic, unbeaten, title-winning season in the Bundesliga in 2023/24.
He was linked with a return to Anfield following Jurgen Klopp's departure and again as Arne Slot came under pressure when the Reds produced a poor Premier League title defence. Andoni Iraola has since replaced the sacked Slot.
Mendieta's Comments
Mendieta, speaking via BetVictor, said: “When Chelsea calls, you take it because it is a great opportunity, but I think Xabi Alonso still has Liverpool in his mind. The way coaching movements happened meant he took the Chelsea job just months before the Liverpool position became available. They made the right call at the time, but I can see him coaching Liverpool at some point in the future. The club is in his heart.”
Alonso on Joining Chelsea
Asked why he joined Chelsea rather than Liverpool in an interview with BBC Sport earlier this month, Alonso said: "Well, it is about timings. I am here today on my first day at Stamford Bridge, talking to you. I am looking forward to this challenge, a big challenge, and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs and I am looking forward to having success here."
Before he added: "What I like is that we work together and we are all part of the decisions we take, we all feel responsible for that. The ultimate goal is clear and, for me, it is the way it should be. We are confident that we are doing the right things in the right way. The potential is there. I think there is a strong base and a good team already there. We need to reinforce it in the right way and take good decisions to do that. The feeling is that we are aligned with the sporting directors. The ultimate goal is to have a good team, build the right squad and we are in that moment."
