John Terry expects Xabi Alonso’s move to Chelsea to intensify the long-standing rivalry with Liverpool, and hopes the Anfield club regret choosing Andoni Iraola instead. Alonso is confirmed as Chelsea’s new head coach from 1 July 2026 on a four-year deal, after being dismissed by Real Madrid earlier in the year.
The former Spain midfielder had been strongly linked with Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp’s departure was announced, yet Liverpool never completed a deal. Alonso instead remained at Bayer Leverkusen until leaving for Madrid in 2025, and Chelsea then acted before Liverpool changed managers again following Arne Slot’s exit.
Slot delivered the Premier League title for Liverpool in 2024-25 during the first season in charge. Expectations rose after significant investment in the 2025 summer transfer window, but a fifth-place league finish in 2025-26 led to Slot being sacked at the end of last month, opening the door for a different appointment.
During Slot’s second campaign, speculation repeatedly linked Alonso with a return to Anfield, where Alonso spent five seasons as a player. Despite those stories, Chelsea moved first and agreed terms while Slot was still in position. Liverpool then turned to Iraola, appointing the former Bournemouth manager after three productive years on the south coast.
Iraola arrives at Liverpool with a reputation for progressive football built during that Bournemouth spell, where the club stabilised in the Premier League. Liverpool’s hierarchy decided against pursuing Alonso and instead trusted Iraola to lead the next phase, a choice Terry thinks could look risky if Chelsea thrive under Alonso’s leadership.
“I don’t think he’ll struggle. I think he’ll come into the building on day one and have respect as a player and as a manager, Terrytold a virtual roundtable hosted by SuperSport. To go on and do what he’s done in such a short career as a manager [has earned it for him]. That Liverpool-Chelsearivalry will always be there. I hope Liverpool regret not getting him, because that would mean Chelsea havebeen successful, so I hope that’s the case. This is a positive signing. I’m sure he’s going to get a massive response on the opening day of the season. Naturally, like all managers or ex-players, he’ll be judged by his results, but I love the fact that he’s in the building.”
Chelsea formally announced Alonso’s appointment in May 2026, confirming a long-term commitment to the Spaniard.
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Mens Team. The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi!Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 17, 2026">
Alonso’s coaching reputation grew sharply at Bayer Leverkusen, where the team secured the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023-24. Leverkusen went unbeaten in domestic competitions that season and did not lose a match until the Europa League final, when Atalanta ended their run and denied a treble.
Those achievements persuaded Real Madrid to appoint Alonso as head coach in 2025, with many viewing that move as a long-term solution. Alonso won 23 of 34 matches in charge of Madrid in all competitions, yet was still removed at the start of 2026, leaving the coach available for Chelsea’s approach later in the year.
Alonso’s honours and recent managerial record with Leverkusen and Madrid can be summarised as follows.
| Club | Season | Competition | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2023-24 | Bundesliga | Champions, unbeaten season |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2023-24 | DFB-Pokal | Winners |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2023-24 | Europa League | Lost final to Atalanta |
| Real Madrid | 2025-26 | All competitions | 23 wins from 34 matches before dismissal |
Terry feels that Alonso’s playing career for club and country shapes the way players respond now. The former Chelsea captain argues that modern footballers often relate strongly to managers who competed at the highest level in recent years and can draw on those experiences during tactical and personal discussions.
"If I was a player coming into Chelsea and I sat with Alonso; I look at the difference between sitting with him or Rafa [Benitez].Iknow who I would like to sign for," Terry added. "I would like to sign for Xabi and would like to come and play for him because he's a great man; he's a great technician [and] he was a top player. These managersyou're seeing Frank Lampard do well in the game and himthey're on such a good wavelength with the players. I think it's perfect because they can tap into what they were doing when they were playing and what they liked and stuff. So, I think it's going to be a really positive signing and I'm delighted to have him in the building."
With Alonso set to start at Stamford Bridge on 1 July 2026, Terry’s comments underline the expectation around Chelsea’s new project and the added intrigue for Middle East fans tracking Premier League storylines, especially as Liverpool move forward with Iraola and face scrutiny over the choice not to appoint Alonso.
Story first published: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 22:27 [IST]
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