Chelsea officially announce new manager | OneFootball

Now it’s official!

Xabi Alonso has been announced as Chelsea’s new manager.

The news had already been reported by the BBC and The Athletic, with Xabi Alonso taking over the club on a four-year contract.

Spaniard will be manager

If you understand English, you noticed that Alonso was announced as “manager” rather than head coach, the term used in England for the main coaching role.

And this was no accident. As head coach, the focus is strictly on the pitch. He is responsible for running training sessions, setting tactics, picking the team, and improving players’ performances on a daily basis.

Generally, he has little influence over player transfers, working under a sporting director who builds the squad for him.

A manager, meanwhile, is a mix of sporting director and coach, making it a much broader leadership role.

In addition to overseeing training and matches, the manager has major influence — or even the final say — in squad building, including signings, departures, and the club’s long-term sporting vision.

According to journalist Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports, the manager role was Chelsea’s idea, as the club is placing great faith in Alonso as a leader to transform Chelsea.

It was Chelsea’s idea for Alonso to be given the title of “manager” rather than “head coach”, because they were very impressed by his leadership qualities. He did not ask to have the title of manager. Alonso will not be tied to the idea of playing with three centre-backs at Chelsea. He used that formation at Bayer Leverkusen because it suited the players he had in his squad. He is more than willing to play with a back four. Chelsea will use different formations under his command.

Challenge after dismissal at Real

Alonso’s last job was at Real Madrid.

He was in the role for just over six months and was sacked in January after clashes with star players in the squad, such as Vini Jr., and results that fell short of expectations.

The Spaniard rose to prominence while managing Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 season, when the club won the Bundesliga and the German Cup unbeaten.

Alonso arrives after a turbulent year in charge of the English club.

Enzo Maresca was sacked on January 1 this year, just a few months after winning the Club World Cup.

His replacement, Liam Rosenior, lasted just over three months in the job.

Chelsea are ending the season under interim manager Calum McFarlane.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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