Xabi Alonso has been officially confirmed as Chelsea’s new manager and will begin at Stamford Bridge on July 1 after signing a four-year contract.
The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss, 44, is the first Blues boss since Jose Mourinho in 2013 to be announced in the role of manager rather than head coach, suggesting that he will have a greater sway with the club’s hierarchy than his predecessors, such as Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea, temporarily managed by Calum McFarlane, were beaten 1-0 by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City after Antoine Semenyo’s sublime winner on Saturday.
Alonso was installed as Chelsea’s leading candidate last week, as revealed by Daily Mail Sport, ahead of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner, Filipe Luis and Cesc Fabregas
‘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.’
