Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager, with the Spaniard signing a four-year contract. He will officially take charge from 1 July, marking his first managerial role in the Premier League.
Alonso, who previously managed Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, replaces Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month. Calum McFarlane had been in interim charge, overseeing the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
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.' He added that he shares the ownership's ambition to build a team capable of competing at the highest level and winning trophies.
The 42-year-old's reputation was built at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the club to the German title and an unbeaten domestic campaign in 2023-24. However, his tenure at Real Madrid lasted only eight months, ending in January after poor results and reports of losing the dressing room.
Chelsea face an uncertain future, with Champions League qualification highly unlikely and potential absence from European competition altogether. The club's ownership, which has spent around £2bn on players since the 2022 takeover, has acknowledged the need for 'self-reflection' amid fan unrest and financial concerns.
Alonso was chosen from a shortlist that included Filipe Luís, Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva. His appointment is seen as a coup for Chelsea, who have tracked him for at least three years.
