Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Xabi Alonso has been officially confirmed as Chelsea's new
manager.
The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having
agreed a four‑year contract at Stamford Bridge.
'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.'
Alonso said: "Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in
world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this
great club.
"From my conversations with the ownership group and
sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a
team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for
trophies.
"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential
at this football club, and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus
is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."
Chelsea, currently ninth in the Premier League table, have
been looking for a new head coach after sacking Liam Rosenior in April after
only three months in charge.
The former Real Madrid boss was Chelsea's No 1 target, and
the ex-Liverpool midfielder will hold the title of manager rather than head
coach, in recognition of his experience and the key role he will play in
helping develop all aspects of the club.
Alonso had been out of work since being sacked by Real
Madrid in January, seven months into 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 will become the fifth permanent appointment of the
BlueCo ownership era, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo
Maresca, and Rosenior.
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