Xabi Alonso has been officially confirmed as Chelsea’s new manager.
The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four‑year contract at Stamford Bridge.
‘Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Men’s Team,’ the club wrote on social media platform X on Sunday.
‘The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi.’
Alonso said: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.
“From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.
“There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club, and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”
Chelsea, currently ninth in the Premier League table, have been looking for a new head coach after sacking Liam Rosenior in April after only three months in charge.
The former Real Madrid boss was Chelsea’s No 1 target, and the ex-Liverpool midfielder will hold the title of manager rather than head coach, in recognition of his experience and the key role he will play in helping develop all aspects of the club.
Alonso had been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid in January, seven months into the job.
He won the Champions League twice as a player, as well as leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season in 2023/24.
Alonso will become the fifth permanent appointment of the BlueCo ownership era, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca, and Rosenior.