Jamie Carragher makes Xabi Alonso 'mistake' claim as Chelsea continue new head coach talks

Chelsea's search for a new head coach continues with Xabi Alonso now seemingly the leading candidate, although nothing is advanced with the former Real Madrid boss

Jamie Carragher believes Real Madrid made a "mistake" by letting Xabi Alonso leave in January and thinks it would be a "great" piece of business for Chelsea, should they appoint his former teammate as their new head coach.

Alonso has been on the Blues' shortlist to take over from Liam Rosenior ever since the latter was relieved of his duties last month. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder is one of numerous options Chelsea, whose five-strong team of sporting directors are leading the process to appoint a new head coach, are considering.

Alongside Alonso on the list of Chelsea's candidates are Oliver Glasner, Cesc Fabregas, Marco Silva, Filipe Luis and Andoni Iraola, football.london understands. All options are being explored at this point, with nothing advanced, but there seems to be a particular excitement around Alonso at the time of writing.

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Carragher, who played alongside Alonso during their days at Liverpool, believes the former Reds midfielder would "love" to manage at Anfield in the future. However, if he ends up becoming the new Chelsea head coach, that would become more complicated.

"I can understand why they would go for Xabi Alonso," said Carragher on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football. "It felt like less than 12 months ago, he was the new kid on the block, if you like, in terms of big managers - you're thinking, could he be the next Pep [Guardiola]? A great playing career and then goes into management.

"He has a great start, it doesn't quite work out at Madrid. I think Madrid made a mistake in getting rid of him. I think it would be a great coup for Chelsea. I just thought maybe it's me kidding myself [saying Alonso wouldn't go to Chelsea], I want to step back a little bit and not be the type of guy who is always asking questions to try and find out something.

"No, I think he would love to manage Liverpool one day - I'm sure he would, but Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in European football right now."

Asked if he would be disappointed if Alonso went to Chelsea and not his former club Liverpool, Carragher added: "I always felt Xabi would manage Liverpool at some stage. Once you manage one of Liverpool's rivals, like Chelsea are, it always makes it a little bit more difficult. I don't see how you manage Chelsea and then Liverpool... maybe a little bit down the road but it makes it more difficult.

"He has to do what's best for him right now. I think there will be Liverpool fans right now, thinking, 'ugh, that's the one we want'."

Click here to read article