Xabi Alonso named Chelsea manager on four-year deal from July 2026 | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso has been appointed Chelsea manager. Many expected his path to lead to Anfield, but he will instead take charge at Stamford Bridge.

The club said in a statement that he will lead the men's first team from one July 2026 and has signed a four-year deal. He will work as manager with influence over recruitment and other off-pitch decisions, a wider brief than recent head coaches.

Chelsea had made him their top priority as they seek to reset the project and unlock a youthful squad's potential. The London club have endured churn in the dugout in recent months.

His reputation was forged in Germany, where he delivered Bayer Leverkusen's first Bundesliga title without defeat. His subsequent Real Madrid stint proved brief and ended abruptly with his dismissal on 12 January, and four months later he moves to Chelsea.

He becomes the sixth permanent manager under BlueCo, succeeding Liam Rosenior after a 107-day tenure, with the appointment coming hours after the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City. Only one coach under BlueCo has lasted more than a year, Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea's absence from European competition is not viewed as an issue for Alonso, who has already overseen a season focused solely on domestic tournaments.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo