Can Xabi Alonso Bring Stability and Success to Chelsea? | OneFootball

Chelsea have had eleven different head coaches in the last ten years; these constant managerial changes have led to many low periods at the club, but also quite a few ups.

Antonio Conte won the Premier League within his first season, Enzo Maresca won the Conference League and bested Luis Enrique’s PSG squad to win the Club World Cup, and Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League within five months of being there.

None of them, however, have reached three years in the role; from poor performances to issues with the board, Chelsea’s head coaches never seem to last.

This didn’t change after Roman Abramovich sold the club to new owners BlueCo. In fact, it only seemed to get worse.

BlueCo alone has let go of more than six managers since its arrival in 2022. All while implementing a rebuild and a whole new recruitment system.

Now, after a particularly ugly season which saw both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior leave and the club end the season in 10th place under interim manager Calum McFarlane, Xabi Alonso takes the mantle, not as a head coach but as a manager.

This makes Xabi Alonso the first manager of the BlueCo era, hinting at the ownership group’s willingness to change to bring the club proper success.

XABI ALONSO

As a Manager, Xabi Alonso is said to be given far more freedom and charge than any prior head coach at Chelsea Football Club.

He will have a proper say in Chelsea’s transfer team; he will be given full control over the starting XI and will have the leisure and time to build and structure his own philosophy and style of play.

The ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid man seems over the moon to be at the London club, saying, “The potential of the team and squad made me really excited, to find a squad to work with, create a football idea, bring excitement to the stadium and connect with the fans.

“It feels great, but it’s a big honour. To be part of this great club that is one of the best in the world with great success in the last decades, and it’s a big privilege to be a part, and now I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Chelsea captain and England international Reece James seems rather optimistic about his tenth manager: “We’ve spoken a couple of times on the phone, but I’ve not met him in person yet.”

“Everyone I have spoken to about him said he is an amazing manager. I know him from his playing career – he had an amazing playing career – and I’m excited to work with him.”

PHILOSOPHY AND TACTICAL APPROACH

It is expected that Xabi Alonso will be aiming to use his famous 3-4-2-1 formation, which led his Bayer Leverkusen side to an invincible title-winning season.

This style seems almost perfect for Chelsea Football Club; they have fullbacks like Reece James, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato or newly signed Serie A defender of the year Marco Palestra.

A strong midfield pairing of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo provides great structure, energy and technique.

Up front, talisman Cole Palmer and Premier League star João Pedro will be hoping to bounce back after failing to enter their respective World Cup squads.

While his tenure at Real Madrid may raise eyebrows about whether or not he can do it at the highest level only, time will tell whether or not Xabi’s tactics and philosophy will work in this Chelsea squad, but there are high hopes that he will gel perfectly with the side.

BLUE-CO

Since Blue-Co began its reign at Chelsea in 2022, the club has been on a rollercoaster of results. The rigid transfer policy and unhealthy club atmosphere have led to very varying results.

From the abominable 12th to 6th, 4th and now 10th.

However, the board finally seem ready to change its mind and bring proper success to the club; this comes after various player complaints and protests from not only Chelsea fans but also sister club RC Strasbourg, who believe they’re only being used as a platform to improve the Blues.

The tales of clubs being ruined by new owners are already very well known amongst football fans, but many fans of The Blues stay optimistic that they will return to their success like under the Roman Abramovich era.

2026/27 is shaping up to be a make-or-break season for the club. The appointment of Xabi Alonso is a big step forward, and Blue-Co is toning out their policies, not to mention the club not having the burden of Europe.

It now just begs the question of what Chelsea Football Club can achieve.