Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has expressed his astonishment at Xabi Alonso’s decision to take over as Chelsea’s manager. The former defender admitted he thought Alonso would wait for a potential opportunity at Liverpool, given his deep connections to the club.
Alonso, who made 210 appearances for Liverpool and was a key figure in their 2005 Champions League triumph, has signed a four-year contract with Chelsea. His move to Stamford Bridge came as a shock to many, including Ferdinand, who believed Alonso’s affection for Liverpool would lead him to bide his time.
Speaking on his show ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, as reported by Metro UK, Ferdinand said: ‘I’m genuinely taken aback by his decision. It’s not that I doubt his ability, but I truly believed he would exercise patience and see how Arne Slot’s tenure at Liverpool develops.’
The former Manchester United defender emphasized that Alonso has consistently spoken warmly about his time at Liverpool, fueling speculation about a future managerial role at Anfield. ‘As an ex-Liverpool player, he cherished the club and always speaks positively about it. It seemed like a relationship poised to evolve behind the scenes,’ Ferdinand added.
Ferdinand pointed out that if Alonso had waited, he would likely be the next in line for the Liverpool job, given the current circumstances at Anfield. Instead, Alonso has committed to restoring Chelsea’s competitiveness and pursuing trophies.