Xabi Alonso agrees to become Chelsea manager on four-year deal after London talks, announcement imminent | OneFootball

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Xabi Alonso to become the club's new head coach.

Alonso has accepted a proposal from Chelsea over a four-year contract, following talks in London with thePremier League side this week.

The 44-year-old will replace Liam Rosenior, who was sacked in April after only three months in charge. Alonso has been without a club since leaving Real Madrid in January, following a short-lived spell in the Spanish capital.

The formerLiverpool midfielder previously led Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever German title in 2023/24, completing the Bundesliga campaign without defeat.

The Athletic are reporting that an announcement over Alonso's appointment is imminent, with the Spaniard's contract currently being finalised. He had been Chelsea's priority target, despite links to Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Como coach Cesc Fabregas.

Calum McFarlane is currently in interim charge of Chelsea and led the Blues during Saturday's FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley. The West Londoners lost 1-0 with Antoine Semenyo scoring the decisive goal.

Alonso will be tasked with reviving the fortunes of a Chelsea side who have struggled to compete in thePremier League this season. Their form has dipped drastically in recent weeks with Chelsea currently in the midst of a seven-game winless run in the league. The Blues are ninth in the table and face the prospect of missing out on European qualification.

Alonso had been linked with former club Liverpool, with Arne Slot having found himself under pressure after a disappointing defence of the Premier League title.

The expectation is that Slot will still be in charge at Anfield next season, with the club'd board keen to give the Dutchman another campaign to improve results.