Xabi Alonso and Chelsea have agreed to a four-year contract, and he will officially start his duties as manager on July 1, 2026.
The Blues sacked Liam Rosenior because of the team’s poor performances. Chelsea’s management wanted better results, but the team continued to struggle and lost five matches in a row.
The final nail in the coffin was the club’s disappointing 3-0 defeat against Brighton, a result that increased pressure on the manager and convinced the board to make a decision to let him walk.
Alonso’s appointment came after Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, a result that added more pressure on the club and convinced the management to seal the deal.
Speaking to the media about why he decided to join Chelsea, the 44-year-old said, “Chelsea is one of the biggest football clubs in the world, 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.”
Alonso coached Real Madrid from July 2025 to May 2026. Both parties agreed to part ways after a difficult season.
Alonso had problems in the dressing room and struggled to control some senior players.
Some players looked uninterested in training, and the team’s performances became poor.
Alonso also felt that some experienced players had too much power at the club, which made it hard for him to keep discipline in the squad.
Things also turned south on the pitch after a strong start to the season. Real Madrid’s performances dropped, and losing in the Spanish Super Cup added more pressure on Alonso.
Sharing his two cents as always on football, Sky Sports Senior Reporter Keveh Solhekol, said,” Xabi Alonso is the man with the best CV, not just as a player but also as a manager when it comes to his playing career.
“You know what he achieved at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern, the fact that he won the World Cup and the Euros with Spain as well. He is an incredible character. We’ve been told he has very high emotional intelligence.
“He is somebody who’s got an aura about him. I think he is actually the kind of manager who Roman Abramovich would have appointed.
