Chelsea Football Club on Sunday morning announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new Manager.
The English Premier League club made this known in a statement via its website.
Part of the statement reads, “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the men’s team.
“The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four year contract at Stamford Bridge.
“One of the most respected figures in the modern game, Alonso arrives at Chelsea having already experienced coaching at the highest level of European football with Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German club to the first league title in their history.
“His appointment reflects the Club’s belief in his broad set of experiences, coaching quality and game model, leadership attributes, character and integrity, which were key to the decision to ask him to help lead the next phase of Chelsea’s journey.
“He is regarded not only as an outstanding football coach, but also as a proven leader and partner across a number of areas essential to the demands of driving the team.
On his appointment, Xabi 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.”
Club current EPL position
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.
Xabi Alonso coaching pedigree
Alonso had managed his former club for seven months. He recorded 24 wins in 34 matches but left by mutual consent in January, 2026 following a difficult run of results across LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
He took over Bayer Leverkusen at October 2022 when the club was second-from-bottom in the Bundesliga and guided them to a 6th-place finish and a Europa League semi-final in his first year.
He also masterminded a historic 2023–24 “Invincible” campaign, winning Bayer Leverkusen’s first-ever Bundesliga title and completing a domestic double. Alonso also reached 53 unbeaten games across all competitions in the 2023-24 season, losing only the Europa League final.
He had begun his coaching career immediately after retiring as a player at Real Madrid, taking charge of the Under-14 and Under-12s, winning domestic titles before stepping up to senior-level club management .
BBC