Former Gary Neville has warned incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso that he faces a massive challenge at Stamford Bridge after the club endured what he described as a “disastrous” season.
Chelsea ended their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland A.F.C. at the Stadium of Light, finishing 10th in the Premier League and missing out on European qualification.
Interim coach Calum McFarlane has been in charge since the dismissal of Liam Rosenior last month, making it Chelsea’s third managerial change of the season after it began under Enzo Maresca.
Alonso, who was officially unveiled as Chelsea’s new manager last week on a four-year deal, is expected to take over in July.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said the former Real Madrid CF and Liverpool F.C. midfielder has been handed the responsibility of rebuilding the entire club.
“Xabi Alonso has one hell of a job on his hands at Chelsea,” Neville said.
“He’s been appointed manager, but he might as well be sporting director, owner and everything else. It looks like they’ve handed him the keys to the club and asked him to fix everything because Chelsea are in a really difficult position.”
Alonso earned praise during his managerial spell with Bayer 04 Leverkusen, guiding the club to its first Bundesliga title ahead of FC Bayern Munich. However, his later stint with Real Madrid reportedly ended after just seven months by mutual agreement.
Against Sunderland, Trai Hume opened the scoring in the first half before an own goal by Malo Gusto doubled the hosts’ advantage. Cole Palmer pulled one back for Chelsea, but the Blues failed to find an equaliser.
Chelsea’s frustrations worsened late in the match when Wesley Fofana received a red card, the club’s eighth sending-off of the season — the highest tally in the league.
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