EPL: Gary Neville Calls Chelsea’s Performance “Disastrous” and Warns Alonso About His Job

Former Manchester United player Gary Neville has warned the incoming Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, after the club’s “disastrous” season ended with a defeat to Sunderland on the final day.

A 2-1 loss at the Stadium of Light left Chelsea in 10th place in the Premier League, missing out on qualification for any European competitions.

Interim manager Calum McFarlane has been in charge since Liam Rosenior was dismissed last month, making Chelsea’s third managerial change in a season that began with Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso was officially announced as Chelsea’s new manager last week, signing a four‑year contract, and will take up the role in July.

United icon and former England defender Neville said Alonso has “one hell of a job on his hands” in west London, adding that he has been tasked with “sorting the club out” after a “disastrous” season.

Alonso, regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, made a significant impact in his first managerial role at Bayer Leverkusen, leading the German club to their first-ever Bundesliga title by defeating Bayern Munich.

His subsequent tenure at Real Madrid was less successful, ending with his departure from the Bernabéu by mutual agreement after only seven months in charge.

When asked if Alonso indeed has “one hell of a job on his hands” following Chelsea’s defeat at Sunderland, Neville spoke on his Sky Sports podcast: “Yeah! We’ve been discussing the magnitude of the task Roberto De Zerbi faces at Spurs; Xabi Alonso must undertake a similar challenge at Chelsea. He has been appointed as the manager, but he might as well have been designated as manager, sporting director, owner, and everything else. It appears they have entrusted him with the keys to the club and requested him to resolve the issues because Chelsea is in a difficult position; it has been a truly disastrous season for them.”

Trai Hume gave Sunderland a first‑half lead on Sunday, and the hosts extended their advantage after the break thanks to an own goal by Malo Gusto.

Cole Palmer gave Chelsea hope with more than half an hour to play, but the Blues were unable to score an equaliser and finished the match with ten men after Wesley Fofana was handed his eighth red card of the season, twice as many as the next highest club.