Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager following FA Cup final defeat
The 44-year-old Spaniard agrees in principle to take charge of a squad facing financial constraints, likely exclusion from European competition, and significant disciplinary challenges.
Chelsea have agreed in principle to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club’s new manager, succeeding Liam Rosenior following the team’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final. The appointment marks the third managerial change for the club in five months, following the departures of Enzo Maresca and Rosenior, with Calum McFarlane serving as interim boss. Alonso, 44, is expected to be formally unveiled during the pre-season period, with his contract commencing on 1 July.
The decision to appoint Alonso as “manager” rather than “head coach” is intended to reflect his seniority within a structure that includes five sporting directors. Player recruitment will be conducted collaboratively between Alonso and the club’s sporting directors, focusing on adding experience alongside long-term planning. Chelsea are targeting at least one centre-back, midfielder, and forward in the upcoming transfer window to address squad deficiencies.
Chelsea finished ninth in the Premier League with two games remaining, making Champions League qualification impossible and Europa League participation unlikely. The club is likely to miss out on UEFA competition entirely, which would have financial implications and fail to excite fans accustomed to elite European football. Sources at the club strongly reject suggestions they would prefer to avoid qualifying for lesser competitions, despite their settlement with financial regulators following significant spending on transfers.
Alonso inherits a squad facing significant cultural and disciplinary issues. The team recorded the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League this season and covered less distance than any other team, aside from a single draw against Liverpool. A protest march involving approximately 200 fans occurred on Wembley Way, highlighting a disconnect between supporters, players, and the club’s ownership. Co-owner Behdad Eghbali has acknowledged that the club has failed to achieve stability on the managerial side.
Sources close to several players have expressed excitement about the appointment, despite previous criticism of the club by key figures such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez. Alonso’s previous seven-month tenure at Real Madrid ended in January after a falling out with key players, including Kylian Mbappe. Chelsea are keen to learn lessons from this season and have been impressed by Alonso's knowledge, leadership, emotional intelligence and values.
