16 Mar 2026 13:06:09
Eds, Carra, Fields and co - if the club is set that Alonso is the next manager, Alonso is set on us and there is clearly some backing to sack Slot now, what is the reason we would need Gerrard as interim? If Alonso is truly committed and wanting to come then why would he not give himself the two months extra, in a World Cup year to start on his methods etc.
16 Mar 2026 14:06:06
It's a good question, Alex. It could be contractual in terms of how he left RM, or it could be personal in terms of wanting time to recharge. If it's the latter, that's a red flag at this level as the pressure is relentless whenever you start.
I think it's more likely he hasn't committed to anything and is waiting to see what's available. It's quite possible Bayern, City, Utd, PSG and us will all be looking for new coaches in the summer, and I could see him going elsewhere.
16 Mar 2026 14:14:36
Overkill, you'd like to think anything contractually could be ironed out financially with Madrid, which then leads to the latter, that he's waiting it out for someone else.
16 Mar 2026 14:24:05
Agreed, Alex.
I can see Iraola ending up at Utd, Kompany at City, Alonso at Bayern. If Pep stays at City, then Xabi probably ends up with us.
16 Mar 2026 14:33:13
I've said all along, I'm not overly convinced that Alonso is set on coming to us - my bet is he's looking at what a total balls up we've made of a fine squad & set up, & thought it's not for me!
16 Mar 2026 16:31:57
Yeh, but Bristol, ye get top 5 and Champions League, and the other way of looking at that is that we're a global powerhouse of a club at the top table. City and Pep sneaked into the Champions League on the last day of the season once. It can happen. They still attracted players like Gundogan, Stones, Sane and Jesus that summer.
16 Mar 2026 13:53:25
Alex, i'll have a go at this. So per Ed01, Gerrard wants the job permanently so him being an interim is outta the question (for me, personally) and for the club if Carra is correct with what you have relayed from him in your comment.
Now the above clashes with the fact that Hughes and Edwards have shown by the Roundtable crap as well as the rubbish Ornstien put out last week (ironically right after the Gala debacle) stating how much the club (Hughes and Edwards here, IMO) back Slot and that they are not looking to let him go.
Hence in my mind, it has led to Alonso just holding fire and will be the next manager BUT only after Slot leaves at the end of the season. Or prolly, so they thought up until last night and BOOM went the dynamite. What say you, sir?
{Ed001's Note - I didn't say out of the question, just difficult as they don't want him winning every game and making it impossible to shift him.}
16 Mar 2026 16:47:08
Imagine worrying about a temp manager coming in and winning all of his games. They need to grow some stones.
16 Mar 2026 17:00:37
Exactly, Berger. If you have no intention of giving someone the job, it shouldn't matter how well he does. You thank him for the job he's done and go get the man you want.
16 Mar 2026 16:55:23
Ed, that was for me on a personal level hence the "for me, personally" I added in my comment.
{Ed001's Note - ah ok sorry.}
16 Mar 2026 17:28:21
Be a nice problem to have, wouldn't it. Look at Man Utd, floundering for most of the season and now they have CL almost guaranteed. They can decide in the summer whether to stick or twist with the coach.
Chelsea are a shambles of a club, we're giving them a chance when we should be out of sight. Villa are now closer to their true level, and they, unlike the others, actually have a good coach.