Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Xabi Alonso's future amid speculation he could become the new Chelsea manager.
The Blues are searching for a new manager to succeed Liam Rosenior after the former head coach lasted just 104 days in charge.
Several big names are heavily linked with the Stamford Bridge hot seat, including Andoni Iraola, who has already announced he'll leave Bournemouth at the end of the season.
Alonso is another — arguably the biggest — manager to be linked. The Spaniard has been out of work since he left Real Madrid at the start of the year.
Fabrizio Romano provides update on Xabi Alonso to Chelsea
Expected to return to the dugout sooner rather than later, the 44-year-old is tipped to test himself in the Premier League.
Alonso's former club, Liverpool, where he played for five years, are seen as his ideal destination, but, like Chelsea, contact has been minimal.
According to Romano, who spoke on his YouTube channel, there has been little movement from Chelsea when it comes to hiring Alonso.
"I can guarantee that Liverpool this year [2026] never made any direct approach with Xabi Alonso or his agents.
I can guarantee nothing is advanced or concrete on Xabi Alonso to Chelsea.
Xabi Alonso is ready to restart. He is very open to opportunities around Europe if he can find the right project. There will be an end of season review at Liverpool."
Arne Slot is on borrowed time after a disappointing second season at Anfield has yielded no silverware and seen the side struggle to qualify for Europe.
Time is of the essence
With the end of the season fast approaching, Chelsea cannot afford to wait much longer to hire a manager.
Fans, and players, will be expecting a new boss to be in place before the start of pre-season.
The new manager will need enough time to implement his ideas and decide his starting 11 before the 2025-26 campaign kicks back off in August.
There is also the 2026 World Cup in North America taking place in the meantime. Any injuries to current starters will need to be factored into future plans.
So of course, all focus is on next weekend's FA Cup final against Manchester City, but as soon as the full time whistle blows — trophy or no trophy — BlueCo's attention absolutely must then turn to announcing who's coming in next.
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