Chelsea Football Club has officially announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The former Real Madrid coach will begin his tenure on July 1 and has signed a four-year contract.
This decision follows a disappointing FA Cup final loss to Manchester City, which means the Blues will not compete in European competitions next year. Alonso had been without a club since his dismissal from Real Madrid in January.
In their statement, Chelsea expressed excitement over Alonso’s arrival: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the men’s team.”
### Alonso’s Thoughts on Joining Chelsea
Xabi Alonso shared his enthusiasm about joining Chelsea, stating that both he and the club have the same goals. He aims to create a team that can compete for titles consistently.
“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football, and I am incredibly proud to be its manager,” he said. “From my discussions with the ownership and the sporting leadership, it’s clear we share the same ambition. We want to develop a team that regularly competes at the highest level and fights for trophies.”
Alonso acknowledged the talent within the squad and the potential of the club, expressing his honor to lead the team. “Now, our focus will be on hard work, building the right culture, and winning trophies,” he added.
With Alonso at the helm, Chelsea hopes to regain stability after a challenging season that saw two managers dismissed. Enzo Maresca was let go in January following disagreements with the club’s board after leading the team to the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. His successor, Liam Rosenoir, was unable to turn the season around and was sacked in April.
Alonso arrives with an impressive reputation, having previously guided Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2024 and winning the German Cup. However, his time at Real Madrid was less successful, concluding after a defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Chelsea fans will be hoping that Alonso can bring the club back to its winning ways.
