Official Xabi: 'I see great talent and potential'
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 17.05.26. | 12:20
The Spaniard was announced and signed a four-year contract
At the end of a terrible season, there is finally a ray of light for the fans of Chelsea F.C. — the kind of light that suggests the club may finally be emerging from the tunnel and the darkness. Chelsea have officially confirmed that Xabi Alonso is the club’s new head coach after signing a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge Chelsea have now appointed their seventh manager since June 2022, the seventh head coach in the era of Todd Boehly, and already the third since the beginning of the 2025/26 season. Enzo Maresca was dismissed in January and replaced by Liam Rosenior, whose appointment turned into a serious disaster that left the Blues without qualification for the UEFA Champions League next season — and possibly without European football altogether.
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Men’s Team.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 17, 2026
The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi!
Alonso had originally been viewed as the man destined for great things at Real Madrid CF, but the dressing room reportedly “consumed” him, and instead of building a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, he found himself out of work. Many believed the natural next step would be a move to Liverpool F.C., but it appears the Reds decided to give Arne Slot another chance, leaving Alonso to accept the “best” option available at the time.
“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” said Alonso after the appointment.
His spell at Real Madrid may not be the fairest benchmark, considering what he achieved beforehand with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Alonso led the club to the first Bundesliga title in its history — and did so without suffering a single defeat. In the same season, he also won the DFB-Pokal, while only falling short in the UEFA Europa League final against Atalanta BC.
Since the 2022/23 season, only two coaches with at least 100 matches managed have averaged more points per game than Xabi Alonso. Luis Enrique leads with 2.34 points per match, Carlo Ancelotti follows with 2.25, while the Spaniard stands at 2.20. Chelsea may have made an excellent choice. The question now is whether Alonso has done the same, because he will need to protect his autonomy in a club where the hierarchy has repeatedly interfered in football matters.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 37
Friday
Aston Villa - Liverpool 4-2 (1-0)
/Rogers 42, Watkins 57, 73, McGinn 89 - Van Dijk 52, 90+2/
Sunday
14.30: (1.65) Man Utd (4.50) Nott Forest (4.90)
17.00: (1.75) Brentford (4.20) Crystal Palace (4.25)
17.00: (1.85) Everton (3.80) Sunderland (4.00)
17.00: (3.20) Leeds (3.60) Brighton (2.20)
17.00: (3.70) Wolverhampton (4.00) Fulham (1.95)
19.30: (2.15) Newcastle (3.95) West Ham (3.20)
Monday
22.00: (1.10) Arsenal (10.0) Burnley (22.0)
Tuesday
21.30: (4.90) Bournemouth (3.90) Man City (1.70)
22.15: (2.15) Chelsea (3.50) Tottenham (3.30)
***odds are subject to change**