Former Real Madrid manager and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been appointed as Chelsea’s new permanent manager and will start work in the summer ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Xabi Alonso appointed as new Chelsea manager (Image: Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso is expected to return Chelsea to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Former Real Madrid manager Alonso has agreed a four-year deal that guarantees him money to spend on big-name signings and a say in transfer decisions. Chelsea gave Alonso the title manager rather than head coach because of his height in the game, but he will also have more authority in the club’s structure.
Incredibly, Alonso is Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager following the Behada Egbali and Todd Boley eras, following Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, but some admit the club has lost its way.
Chelsea’s leaders have admitted that their results this season have been substandard, and they face the realistic prospect of missing out on Europe next year after losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup final and dropping out of the Premier League table.
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But Alonso will now be given a bigger say in transfers after Egbali and Boley sought to introduce a different model of buying and selling young players rather than signing established stars.
Chelsea are sure to have a busy summer this season as they admit they have not performed well this season and are considering sales and acquisitions in a bid to rebuild their struggling squad. Chelsea also admit they need to bring in more proven talent if they are to get back to the top.
Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso will work closely with Chelsea’s five sporting directors, led by Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart, but will have a bigger say than previous managers.
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The move is aimed at winning back fans while also sending a clear message of intent as they aim to get back to challenging for the Premier League title and Europe’s biggest trophy.
They believe Alonso is the manager who will take the club to the “next stage” of this ownership, and signing him would be a major coup as there is strong interest from other clubs.
Alonso will officially take over on July 1, with an official announcement expected after the pre-season report.
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