Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso told Liverpool job could've been his if he 'sat tight' before Chelsea agreement

Xabi Alonso has long been tipped to become Liverpool manager but the Spaniard will take up a job in the Premier League with Chelsea come next season

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Sport

Samuel Meade Sports Brand Writer

16:38, 18 May 2026

Xabi Alonso.

Xabi Alonso has signed a four-year deal with the Blues(Image: Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Rio Ferdinand admits he's surprised Xabi Alonso opted to take the Chelsea job - insisting the Liverpool gig could've been his if he'd "just sat tight" amid the doubt surrounding Arne Slot.

The Spaniard will return to the Premier League, but this time as a manager, when he takes up his role at Stamford Bridge. The ex-Real Madrid boss will sign a four-year deal to lead the Blues following their decision to sack Liam Rosenior.

Alonso brings title-winning pedigree following his success at Bayer Leverkusen, but his history at Anfield meant he'd always been tipped as a future Liverpool boss. Sections of the fanbase would like him now given the poor season they've endured under Slot.

The Dutchman is facing serious questions with their latest setback coming in the 4-1 loss at Aston Villa last week. The Reds have lost 12 times in the league and Ferdinand believes Alonso would've been right in contention to replace Slot if the Liverpool bosses opted for a change.

He said on his YouTube channel: "I’m actually surprised he’s gone there. I’m not saying he’s the wrong choice. The reason I’m surprised he’s gone there is because I thought he would have been patient enough to wait and see how the Arne Slot situation at Liverpool would play out.

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"Ex-Liverpool player, loved the club, always speaks well about the club, and you just think that was a relationship waiting to happen behind the scenes. If he’d just sat tight, the way things are going at the moment, the way things are unfolding at Liverpool, surely he’s next in the queue to get that job.