Xabi Alonso has been officially confirmed as Chelsea’s new manager and will begin at Stamford Bridge on July 1 after signing a four-year contract.
The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss, 44, is the first Blues boss since Jose Mourinho in 2013 to be announced in the role of manager rather than head coach, suggesting that he will have a greater sway with the club’s hierarchy than his predecessors, such as Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea, temporarily managed by Calum McFarlane, were beaten 1-0 by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City after Antoine Semenyo’s sublime winner on Saturday.
Alonso was installed as Chelsea’s leading candidate last week, as revealed by Daily Mail Sport, ahead of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner, Filipe Luis and Cesc Fabregas. We also reported how Chelsea’s players were personally excited by the prospect of Alonso coming in.
‘Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Men’s Team,’ the club wrote on social media platform X on Sunday.
‘The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi.’
Chelsea has officially confirmed Xabi Alonso as their new manager, starting from July 1
The Spaniard will hope to turn the tide at Stamford Bridge after a disappointing Blues campaign
The Liverpool icon’s last spell in management ended when Real Madrid sacked him in January. He had joined the La Liga giants after guiding Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2023-24 while also finishing as runner-up in the Europa League with them.
Alonso had been linked with Liverpool, but that job is not currently vacant and the Anfield club are adamant they retain faith in Arne Slot ahead of this summer.
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Chelsea accelerated their talks over the last week, pushing to strike an agreement to tie down the Spaniard to a deal. They are understood to have promised him a meaningful say in their transfer business moving forward, which was one of the assurances sought by Alonso in negotiations.
Interim head coach McFarlane will remain in charge until the end of the season.
Following Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat, Chelsea now have two games left to secure qualification to either the Europa League or Conference League next campaign, currently sitting ninth behind Brighton and Brentford.
The Seagulls and Bees sit four and two points above Chelsea respectively, currently occupying the final Europa League spot and sole Conference League position in the Premier League.
Chelsea face London rivals Tottenham on Tuesday before a trip to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on the final day. Alonso could now attend one or both of those matches, as he has been in London for in-person talks over the last week.
