Football managers lead uncertain lives. Especially when they have been hired by big clubs. Owners and fans have short memories. A string of middling results is all it takes for speculation about a manager’s future to run wild. Before long, the rumours become reality.Arne Slot guided Liverpool to a Premier League title in 2024-25 and was sacked a season later because the Reds finished fifth. Every manager who accepts a position at a top club is aware of its perils, but the challenge, the opportunity and the reward the job offers are irresistible.Recruitment seasonThe latest to sign up for this life in England are Xabi Alonso, Andoni Iraola and Enzo Maresca. The three men are linked, having been part of a hot-seat shuffle. Maresca exited Chelsea, which hired Alonso, who many thought was a favourite to take the reins at Liverpool, which recruited Iraola, who was also interviewed by Chelsea.Chelsea has tasked Alonso with reviving its fortunes after a turbulent, trophy-less season. The 44-year-old Spaniard is the fifth permanent appointment under Chelsea’s big-spending BlueCo ownership, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca and Liam Rosenior.Coached by Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez, Alonso rose to prominence at Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the club to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023-24 campaign, along with the German Cup and a run to the Europa League final.Alonso, who had cut his coaching teeth at Real Madrid (youth academy) and Real Sociedad (reserve team), demonstrated his prowess as an adroit tactician in Germany. Having to combat a Bayern Munich side with better players and bigger resources, he fashioned inventive solutions. His ideas were modern and progressive, bolstered by a rigorous structure.That success earned him a return to Real Madrid as head coach, but his spell was reportedly affected by internal tensions, including clashes with several senior players such as Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr. He was ‌sacked in January, less than eight months after taking charge.Understandably, Alonso had reservations about the Chelsea job. The club has spent 1.8 billion pounds on signings since BlueCo took charge in 2022, but the money has yielded neither stability nor progress. He reportedly needed reassurance from the club’s top brass that he would have real influence at Stamford Bridge after his disillusioning Madrid experience.According to The Athletic, Alonso signalled his desire to build a team of “mentality monsters”, capable of establishing themselves at the top of the Premier League. “There is great talent in the squad,” he said. “Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”High-octane: Andoni Iraola’s success at implementing a high-pressing, quick-attacking style was a decisive factor in Liverpool choosing him.