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Chelsea have announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager.
Alonso will begin his role on July 1 and has signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso said: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and I am very proud to be the manager of this great club.
“From my conversations with the ownership group and the sports leadership, it is clear that we share the same ambition. We want to build a team that is able to compete consistently at the highest level and fight for trophies.
“This football club has great talent and huge potential in the squad and it will be a great honor for me to lead it. Now the focus is on working hard, building the right culture and winning trophies.”
Xabi Alonso has agreed to become Chelsea’s next permanent manager on a four-year deal
Alonso was Chelsea’s number one target
Chelsea, currently ninth in the Premier League table, are searching for a new head coach after sacking Liam Rosenier in April after just three months in charge.
The former Real Madrid boss was Chelsea’s No.1 target and the former Liverpool midfielder will take the title of manager rather than head coach in recognition of his experience and key role in helping to develop all aspects of the club.
News of Alonso’s impending appointment came out shortly after Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on SaturdayWhile interim boss Callum McFarlane was in the dugout.
Alonso’s availability has fueled speculation about a possible Anfield return amid Arne Slott’s struggles, but the Dutchman says he expects to remain in charge.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham head coach Marco Silva were other coaches on Chelsea’s shortlist, with Iraola understood to be particularly impressed.
Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Como’s Cesc Fabregas and former Flamengo boss Philippe Luiz were also considered.
Alonso has been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid in January after seven months on the job.
He won the Champions League twice as a player, as well as leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season in 2023/24.
Alonso Bluco will become the fifth permanent signing of the ownership era, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenier.
Why Chelsea went for Alonso – and how he fits in
Alonso will be involved in Chelsea’s summer transfer plans
Chelsea believe their latest appointment reflects learning from past mistakes, with Alonso taking on the challenge of building a culture as well as a team.
Club chiefs see him as one of the most respected young coaches in European football and believe he has the discipline and calm leadership style as well as the ability to play in a variety of formations.
Alonso will work alongside the club’s existing sporting director and ownership group in the summer business.
Chelsea are looking to add experience to their squad in the upcoming transfer window by signing a number of ready-made first-team players, including centre-backs.
Defeat to City in the FA Cup final means Chelsea could be without European football next season for the second time in the Bluco era.
An eighth-place finish would ensure qualification for the Conference League and, although it is unlikely, a sixth- or seventh-place finish could see them go into the Europa League.
But Chelsea chiefs want to consistently challenge for the biggest trophy and believe Alonso fits their long-term strategy.
Alonso’s embryonic coaching CV is the highlight of Leverkusen’s unbeaten season
Sky Sports’ Rich Morgan:
After a glittering and trophy-laden 18-year playing career with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Spain in 2017, Alonso began his managerial career in coaching. white people‘U14s
The Basque then spent three years with the Real Sociedad B team, before taking charge of Bayer Leverkusen with the Bundesliga’s second-bottom side in October 2022, guiding them to a sixth-place finish and a run to the Europa League semi-finals.
Xabi Alonso lifted the Bundesliga trophy after an unbeaten season
In his first full season in charge at the BayArena, Leverkusen – playing in a 3–4–3 formation – won their first Bundesliga title while remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign, setting a new European record of 51 matches without defeat in all competitions en route to a domestic double.
However, Alonso left Leverkusen when they finished runners-up to Bayern Munich in the 2024/25 season, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti as Madrid head coach on a three-year deal in May.
Leverkusen lifted the DFB-Pokal for their first ever domestic double
His tenure at the Bernabeu began with a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in that summer’s Club World Cup semi-final, and despite a 2–1 win over Barcelona at the top of La Liga in late October to move five points clear of their arch-rivals, a slump in results and a strained relationship with star man Vinicius led to the junior de performance in early January.
‘A statement appointment before a summer of rebuilding’
Sky Sports News reporter James Cole:
“This deal comes after weeks of negotiations between Chelsea and Alonso.
“He was always the primary target in the shortlist of three.
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Sky Sports’ James Cole reports from Wembley as Manchester City beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final
“They have ironed out the sticking points of the deal, the deal is now finalised.
“He is the statement boss that a sense of Chelsea hierarchy could calm the storm that has been brewing around Chelsea over the past few weeks in terms of the disconnect between fans, owners and their business model.”
Your opinion: ‘Chelsea could make the best appointment’
Nathan: As a Chelsea fan I have been critical of Bluco but they deserve massive credit for pulling it off. Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi Alonso.
Dan also: Alonso would undoubtedly have been Chelsea’s best appointment. The only question is whether the board and sports directors have learned their lesson and will relinquish control…
JP: How did FSG let this happen?! Fair play to Chelsea to get him but we (Liverpool) had a chance to get him but instead we stick with the slot who is out of depth and taking us in behind.
Leo V: He is very happy with this appointment based on the Leverkusen job he has had. Let the man do his job and Chelsea can get back to business.
F20GHT: Think it’s a great appointment but will Chelsea bring in some experienced players and stop blaming the manager when things go wrong? Buying players for the ‘future’ doesn’t cut it anymore.
Saturday778: As a lifelong Liverpool fan I am absolutely shocked to hear this news. I honestly thought the slot would be gone at the end of the season and Alonso would be taken straight to do the full pre-season. He won’t be managing Liverpool now.
