Alonso Emerges as Slot Stays at Liverpool; Chelsea Weighing Rosenior Future

Chelsea's managerial merry-go-round could be about to spin again, with Xabi Alonso now in the frame for the Stamford Bridge hot seat following confirmation that Arne Slot will remain at Liverpool.

The Blues' situation has become increasingly dire after Tuesday's 3-0 humbling at Brighton, where Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck put the hosts to the sword. It was a performance that left little doubt about where the imbalance lay, and it's sent shockwaves through SW6.

The defeat represents Chelsea's fifth consecutive Premier League loss and their sixth setback in seven matches—a run that has left them seven points adrift of the Champions League places. Brighton's victory moved them into sixth, adding another layer of misery to an already grim narrative.

Liam Rosenior's position has become increasingly precarious. Tim Sherwood has already declared the manager "will not survive" the sack this season, and the speculation surrounding his future has intensified considerably.

Enter Alonso. The former Real Madrid boss had been loosely linked with the Liverpool job, but with Slot's future now secured, reports from Spain suggest the Spaniard has pivoted his focus towards Chelsea. The former Liverpool midfielder, sacked by Madrid earlier this year, apparently has "found a new destination" at the Bridge after being "forced to change course" by Slot's confirmation.

Chelsea's hierarchy view Alonso as fitting their desired profile. He ticks the boxes: a coach whose playing style emphasises development of young talent, coupled with genuine pedigree in European competition. He's being described as a "leading candidate" for the role, with his CV—his ability to nurture academy prospects and navigate continental football—making him an attractive proposition.

Ally McCoist, speaking on talkSPORT, has even suggested Alonso could prove an intriguing alternative at Newcastle should Eddie Howe depart. "I think he might be in the frame," McCoist said. "That's the kind of project, job, that Alonso would have the opportunity to go and build and continue the great work that Eddie has done and achieved. But at this moment in time, I don't know what will happen, but I'd be very disappointed if Howe were to leave Newcastle."

Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, is heading for the exit at Crystal Palace come season's end. McCoist, however, doesn't envision the Austrian landing at Chelsea. Despite Glasner's European pedigree—including a trophy with Eintracht Frankfurt and the Community Shield with Palace—McCoist simply doesn't see the fit. "He won a European trophy," McCoist acknowledged. "When you think about what he's achieved, he's turned that Palace team into a cup-winning side. They could, and probably should, win a European trophy. But I don't see Glasner as a Chelsea manager."