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FC·May 12, 2026 06:18 AM ET

Xabi Alonso opens door to Premier League move as Chelsea weigh manager shortlist

Chelsea eye Alonso and Iraola for summer hire.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 121 min read
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🚨 Xabi Alonso opens doors to Premier League move this summer after initial contacts with his agents. Chelsea have a sho

What happened: Fabrizio Romano reports that Xabi Alonso has signaled openness to a Premier League move this summer following initial contacts with his agents. Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist for the manager role and are aware of his availability, with Andoni Iraola — who wants to remain in the Premier League — also under consideration. No decision has been made on a club yet.

Why it matters: Alonso's name has been linked with Chelsea before, and his willingness to consider a Premier League switch reshapes the summer managerial market. Chelsea's openness to a shortlist that includes both Alonso and Iraola suggests an active search rather than a settled choice, raising stakes for clubs that may need to move quickly. The development continues a thread of prior reporting on Alonso's Premier League openness.

What to watch: Watch for follow-up reporting on whether Chelsea narrow their shortlist and whether Bayer Leverkusen formally address Alonso's future. Iraola's stance and any concrete club-to-club contacts will be the next tells.

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