Jamie Carragher’s text message to Xabi Alonso after becoming Chelsea manager | Football | Sport

Jamie Carragher revealed he has spoken to Xabi Alonso to wish him well at Chelsea – and genuinely wants his former team-mate to do well at Stamford Bridge. The 44-year-old was appointed the Blues’ new boss on Sunday and will begin the role on July 1 after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract at the club.

Alonso is an exciting appointment having guided Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title, the first in their history, in the 2023-24 season. The German club also won the DFB Pokal and reached the Europa League final. The ex-Spain international had long been expected to become the Liverpool manager having spent four seasons at a player at Anfield. He declined the opportunity to succeed Jurgen Klopp in 2024. But since leaving Real Madrid in January, it has been suggested Alonso was waiting for a chance to return to Merseyside.

But despite mounting external pressure on Arne Slot, internally the Reds’ decision-makers retain full belief in the title-winning Dutchman. Consequently, Alonso has not been in contact with Liverpool of late and he has joined their Premier League rivals Chelsea instead.

Liverpool fan Carragher, who played 199 times alongside Alonso, insists he truly hopes his friend is successful with the Londoners and said he has told the Spaniard as much over the phone.

He told Sky Sports: “I think it’s a great move for Chelsea. I think when you look at the options out there for a lot of teams looking for managers right now, I don’t think there is many out there better than Xabi Alonso. Great playing career, great managerial career so far as well.

“It’s a huge coup for Chelsea to get him. Whether it’s a good move for Xabi Alonso? I don’t know just because it hasn’t been a great move for any Chelsea manager for how long now, three or four years?

“No-one’s really got their teeth into it and made a success of it. Is that because of what goes on above them? I know there’s been a lot made of the fact that he’s not the head coach, he’s the manager, in terms of his title.

“Whether that makes that much difference I don’t know. We’ll see. It’s probably the first time ever that I really do hope Chelsea do well because my mate is involved, I haven’t had that before.

“So fingers crossed they do well next season for Xabi. No, [I’ve] not [spoken to him too much] really. A little ‘good luck’ on the fact he got the job and he’s going to be a big part of our coverage next season.

“Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the country so I’m sure they’ll feature heavily on Monday Night Football next season.”

Alonso told Chelsea’s official website: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.

“From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.

“There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”

While Carragher’s former captain and Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard, reacted: “Even when we signed him, he was a coach in our team. Very clever, diligent, great guy, and the players will love him. He’s honest, he’s humble, if he can align everyone at Chelsea Football Club, it can work.”