Former Chelsea player Ruud Gullit has cast doubts on whether Xabi Alonso will be a success in the Stamford Bridge dugout – because there are doubts he will have control over player recruitment.
Alonso was announced as Chelsea’s next manager on Sunday, signing a four-year contract that begins on July 1.
In his short managerial career, Alonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024 without losing a game, but his reputation took a serious beating after he left Real Madrid after only eight months.
Time to rebuild reputation
When asked if his reputation would help bring together a fractured and unruly Chelsea dressing room, Gullit expressed his doubts, telling MrRaffle.com: “Look how successfully he managed in Germany – then all of a sudden everyone said, “Oh, he could do it anywhere.”
“It’s not the same. You know, the only thing that is certain for a manager is that he gets fired. That’s the only certainty. And as a coach you have to learn to adapt to the club’s philosophy. Does it match yours?
“And do you get the players you need to do what you want to do?
“[Man City boss] Pep Guardiola got all the players he wanted. That’s why he’s been successful.
“But if you told Pep, “Deal with what we give you,” he wouldn’t come.
“[Jose] Mourinho wouldn’t come. [Jurgen] Klopp wouldn’t come. [Carlo] Ancelotti wouldn’t come. These are people who know exactly what the right formula is.”
Focus on finding a new spine
Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has said he wants to see Chelsea sign former Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez in the summer transfer window – but Gullit feels Alonso needs to improve the whole spine of the team as a priority.
The former Netherlands forward added: “Let’s start from the back. You need a good centre-half, a good experienced central midfielder and a goalkeeper.
“Three good players with experience. That’s what a squad like Chelsea’s needs first.”
READ NEXT: Pep Guardiola lauds ‘extraordinary’ FA Cup win; Chelsea confirm Xabi Alonso as new boss
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
SportJustSport writers