Xabi Alonso 'confirms' Chelsea new manager appointment ahead of official announcement | OneFootball

Incoming new manager has jumped the gun

Xabi Alonso has appeared to confirm his imminent appointment at Chelsea ahead of an official confirmation.

Alonso is expected to sign a four-year contract to succeed interim coach Calum McFarlane, who will oversee the final two games of the Premier League season.

Confirmation of Alonso’s appointment is expected to come on Sunday, the day after Chelsea lost their fourth FA Cup final in a row.

But, seemingly jumping the gun, Alonso’s official X account posted - and then deleted - a link to a news article by Spanish publication Marca about his new job.

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Alonso emerged this week as the preferred candidate to replace Liam Rosenior as permanent manager, who lasted less than four months in the job following his arrival from sister club Strasbourg.

Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner, who are set to leave Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, respectively, along with Fulham’s Marco Silva and Filipe Luis, who spent one season at Chelsea as a player and recently left his first managerial role with Flamengo, were all candidates.

Alonso has been a free agent since his sacking by Real Madrid seven months into a three-year contract. He previously impressed at Bayer Leverkusen, guiding the club at the Bundesliga title while going unbeaten throughout the season.

Liverpool were expected to compete for his signature, but the Reds hierarchy are reportedly set to continue with Arne Slot at the helm despite a disappointing Premier League title defence.

Alonso spent five years at Liverpool as a player, during which time he won the Champions League and FA Cup.

The 44-year-old now returns to the Premier League as a manager, and will be tasked with returning the club to the top of the English game.

Chelsea on Saturday were beaten1-0 at Wembley by Manchester City in the FA Cup final, ending their hopes of silverware for another season.

The Blues’ aim in the final two games of the Premier League season is to avoid a bottom-half finish and, potentially, clinch qualification to the Conference League.