Former Chelsea boss Benitez backs Alonso to thrive at Stamford Bridge

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Rafael Benitez believes that Xabi Alonso’s knowledge of the Premier League will stand him in good stead ahead of his first season in charge at Chelsea. 

Alonso was appointed as Liam Rosenior’s successor in May after Calum McFarlane oversaw the final four games of Chelsea’s league campaign, with the Blues finishing 10th. 

The Spaniard put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge, with this the third club of his managerial career, after Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. 

Alonso was seen as Madrid’s long-term coach, but despite winning 24 of his 34 matches across all competitions (70.6%), he was relieved of his duties in January. 

During his time at Leverkusen, Alonso led them to the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal in 2023-24, with his team going unbeaten all season across all competitions until losing to Atalanta in the Europa League final. 

Alonso returns to England 17 years after ending a successful five seasons at Anfield as a player, where he helped the Reds win the Champions League in 2005. 

Benitez, who took interim charge of Chelsea during the 2012-13 season, believes that Alonso’s experience of playing in the Premier League will make him a success. 

“I think Xabi is really clever,” Benitez told Sky Sports about the new Chelsea boss. 

“He did really well with Leverkusen – and that was a surprise, because he was coming from Real Sociedad B. To do what he did at Leverkusen was fantastic.

“Then going to Real Madrid – we know from experience that this is quite complicated – but at the same time, he knows the league, he knows the players.

“He knows everything around the Premier League. He’s clever – I think he is a good coach. Chelsea is not easy, but I think he can do well.”

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 9, 2026

Alonso played 143 games for Liverpool in the Premier League, all of which came under Benitez, scoring 14 goals as well as providing 17 assists. 

Benitez himself has plenty of Premier League experience, taking charge of 359 games in the competition with Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton. 

The 66-year-old is out of work after he was sacked by Panathinaikos in May following a fourth-place finish, with Jacob Neestrup announced as his successor. 

However, Benitez has revealed he is open to a return to the dugout, and even put his name forward for the vacant Scotland job after Steve Clarke’s resignation. 

Clarke, who only signed a four-year deal in May, stepped down from his role following Scotland’s group-stage exit from the World Cup, ending a seven-year stint in charge. 

“I’m open to international football,” Benitez added. “It’s a different way, it’s a different approach.

“You have players that go fully motivated, and then you can organise the team in a way that they will be proud for the country.

“The national team is different, so it’s another challenge. Yeah, it could be interesting.

“Any country that they can offer you the possibility to do something, to get something, to achieve something.”

Asked specifically about the vacant job at Hampden Park, the 66-year-old added: “I’m open to all the good countries, yes.”

Roberto Martinez, who has just left his role at Portugal, is among the reported favourites to replace Clarke alongside David Moyes, John McGlynn and Alex Neil. 

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