Chelsea announce Xabi Alonso appointment on a four-year contract as start date confirmed

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Evening Standard

·17 May 2026

Chelsea announce Xabi Alonso appointment on a four-year contract as start date confirmed

Former Real Madrid boss will take over the reins at Stamford Bridge on July 1

The Spaniard has signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge, and he will begin work in west London on July 1.

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Standard Sport understands that he will be given greater decision-making responsibilities than some of Chelsea’s recent head coaches.

The Blues took their time in finding a replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month after a run of five consecutive defeats without scoring.

Calum McFarlane was placed in interim charge - for the second time this season - as the BlueCo ownership sought a full-time replacement to take over at the start of the new campaign.

They moved for Alonso, who departed Real Madrid in January, just eight months into the role.

The former Liverpool midfielder, who played 210 times for the Reds in a five-year spell in England, previously managed Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, leading die Werkself to a maiden Bundesliga title, going unbeaten in the process.