Why Chelsea hired Xabi Alonso - and the key change agreed for summer transfer window | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso will be granted greater powers than many of his predecessors - starting straight away

The Blues moved quickly to reach an agreement with Alonso in the hours after Chelsea lost the FA Cup final, beaten 1-0 by Manchester City at Wembley, which confirmed the club would go trophyless this season.

Chelsea have acknowledged mistakes of the past and want to give Alonso greater powers than some of his predecessors.

Standard Sport understands the job title decision was Chelsea's, not Alonso’s, made in part to grant him greater decision-making powers within the club, creating a collaborative approach alongside the ownership structure and team of sporting directors than previous head coaches did not have.

Xabi Alonso has signed a four-year contract

PA

Chelsea spoke to up to six candidates as they searched for the permanent successor to Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month less than four months into a six-and-a-half-year contract.

Targets included the outgoing Bournemouth and Crystal Palace managers Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner, as well as Fulham’s Marco Silva and the former Chelsea full-back and ex-Flamengo manager Filipe Luis.

Alonso was the favoured candidate throughout the process, partly due to his stature within the game, which has included a glittering playing career with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and double-winning success in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.

While his time in charge of Real was not a success, hired last summer and sacked after seven months, his experience of having coached Europe’s most successful club was considered attractive by Chelsea during the hiring process.

Xabi Alonso won the league and cup double with Bayer Leverkusen

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Chelsea believe they have learned lessons from the failed tenure of Rosenior, and believe Alonso can restore a culture of winning at the club. And one key change will come in the transfer market.

Alonso said in the club’s announcement that he feels he and Chelsea’s owners are aligned in their visions — and Chelsea feel the same.

Chelsea are not wavering from their long-term strategy of buying youth with exceptional talent, but a lack of experience in the squad is clear. Alonso will be allowed to sign more established players in the summer.

Alonso is understood to have faith in the current crop of players, and feels there is a strong core of top players at Chelsea, but there is plenty of room for improvement. Both manager and his new bosses agree.

Xabi Alonso with the World Cup trophy

AFP via Getty Images

Chelsea expect the former midfielder, who won four league titles, two Champions Leagues, two European championships and one World Cup during his playing career, will demand high daily standards for players and staff and that match preparation will be of an elite level.

Alonso will begin the job on July 1, so interim head coach Calum McFarlane will see out the season as was always the plan. Chelsea face Tottenham on Tuesday and Sunderland next Sunday in their two remaining Premier League matches.