Xabi Alonso was a Chelsea nemesis but can save BlueCo from further embarrassment

As the late, great Jimmy Greaves once famously claimed: “Football is a funny old game.”

No truer words have been spoken in the latest chapter of Chelsea and their managerial endeavours, with Xabi Alonso the latest man to take on one of the biggest, yet most unpredictable jobs in world football.

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The 44-year-old was announced as the new manager of the Blues just 24 hours after they went four straight FA Cup finals without victory in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Alonso arrives at Stamford Bridge four years after his senior coaching story began, but with a CV that includes an unbeaten Bundesliga title at Bayer Leverkusen and a stint at football leviathans Real Madrid.

Joining a club with the size, stature and success of Chelsea, even with their error-prone BlueCo owners who have made a fifth permanent appointment in four years, in your third job is mightily impressive.

It’s the latest step in a career that delivered success as a player, given that Alonso was a World Cup and two-time Euros winner with Spain, two-time Champions League victor and four-time league titleholder.

The ex-midfielder graced the Premier League with world-class vision and passing at Liverpool, the first of three world-renowned clubs he starred for alongside Bayern Munich and Real.

Anfield adored him and could have seen him return, this time in the dugout instead of on the pitch, after it was announced that Jurgen Klopp was leaving the club in the summer of 2024.

But this wasn’t to be and now it’s Chelsea who have got him to sign on the dotted line, years after they went head to head in a memorable series of Champions League clashes.

Five seasons, five battles

Alonso departed Real Sociedad, with whom his father Periko won two LaLiga titles, in 2004 for a Liverpool side who had just welcomed his compatriot Rafa Benitez as their new manager after Gerard Houllier.

Weeks after the Reds lost 3-2 to Chelsea in the 2004/05 League Cup final, the two sides were reunited in the semi-finals of the Champions League, with the Istanbul-based showpiece final in their sights.

During the first leg 0-0 draw, Alonso was booked and suspended for the return fixture at Anfield, which Liverpool won 1-0 courtesy of the famous ‘ghost goal’ from Luis Garcia inside four minutes.

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This sent Benitez’s side into the final against AC Milan, who were 3-0 up at half-time but lost on penalties in a match that their Merseyside opponents dub as the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’.

Alonso scored the goal that brought Liverpool level on the night and was rewarded with getting his hands on the famous European trophy in a dream debut season.

They finished fifth in the Premier League that season, outside of the qualification spots for Europe’s premier competition, but a UEFA ruling allowed them into the 2005/06 competition as the holders.

They were also bizarrely drawn with Chelsea in the group stages – two clubs from the same country not normally allowed to do so but a lack of ‘association protection’ for Liverpool allowed this pairing to arise.

Both of their matches ended in 0-0 draws, but they were then given a third consecutive campaign of continental battles as they met in the semi-finals yet again.

It was deja vu for Alonso and Liverpool as they reached another final by beating their rivals from west London on penalties in the second leg, although Milan were on hand to seal revenge for 2005’s collapse.

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The 2007/08 Champions League was no different as, once again, the semi-finals paired the two sides together, but Chelsea made it count on this occasion to reach their first ever final.

Frank Lampard scored a penalty in extra-time in the second leg to book their flights to Moscow, with Alonso playing every minute of each match but ultimately missing out on another shot at glory.

Miraculously, a fifth straight season of Champions League fixtures between Liverpool and Chelsea saw Alonso extend his wait for a second European title.

This time they met in the quarter-finals, with Chelsea firstly 3-1 winners at Anfield before a chaotic 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge kept their run going.

Alonso scored in the second leg as Liverpool drew level on aggregate, with the match being his last ever appearance against Chelsea across all competitions.

He won six of his 20 meetings, three of which came in the Premier League, before returning to Spain with a move to Madrid in 2009.

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This was where his second Champions League honour arrived, ahead of three consecutive Bundesliga titles at Bayern that added to what is a hugely impressive list of accolades for club and country.

Gone are the days of his enticing matchups with Chelsea on the big stage – the modern Alonso is now tasked with making his former foes successful once again.

Chelsea call, Alonso answers

BlueCo are coming towards the end of their fourth season at Chelsea, one that has not delivered silverware and looks set to deprive them of European football for the upcoming campaign.

The Club World Cup champions went back to square one when they chose to dismiss Liam Rosenior last month, weeks after he replaced the ownership’s most successful head coach to date in Enzo Maresca.

But the arrival of Alonso signals an operational change as he has become their manager, a title that his predecessors Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca and Rosenior did not obtain.

It suggests that he will have more say on the squad and transfers at Chelsea, rather than just their tactics and on-pitch performances.

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This is the sort of freedom that many would argue is crucial for clubs to be successful, but BlueCo opted against it with past appointments.

Alonso’s past success on the touchline may well have played a key role in the decision to delegate more influence his way – he has earned it.

But BlueCo cannot afford to reduce their backing of the manager, one who could finally allow them to say that their stewardship of a 121-year-old historic football club has been a success.

Two trophies in four seasons is not good enough for Chelsea, and it may be a long while yet until they find themselves consistently fighting for the major honours.

However, if one person can help restore pride and optimism within a fractured fanbase, then it’s Alonso.

Chelsea have the foundations to build a winning team, with players such as Reece James, Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro a group of players already representing a strong spine.

Mixing the young, yet already talented players with experienced stars will only push them closer towards the possibility of long-awaited Premier League or Champions League triumphs.

Then you add a sprinkling of a manager in Alonso who is given power, control and trust by the under-fire BlueCo, and sooner rather than later, Chelsea could be back amongst the elite in world football.