Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager on four-year deal

Chelsea Football Club has officially confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the manager of its men’s team. The Spaniard has signed a four-year contract, effective from 1 July 2026, running until 2030. The announcement was made on Sunday morning via the club’s official website, following reports that the Blues had reached an agreement with Alonso after their defeat in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Alonso succeeds interim manager Calum McFarlane, who will oversee the final two Premier League fixtures before the new regime takes charge. This appointment marks Chelsea’s third permanent manager this season, reflecting a period of significant instability at the club. The position became vacant following the FA Cup final loss, where Antoine Semenyo scored the decisive goal for Manchester City.

In a statement, Chelsea described Alonso as “one of the most respected figures in the modern game.” The club cited his coaching quality, leadership attributes, and integrity as key factors in the decision. The statement noted that his appointment reflects the club’s belief in his broad experience, game model, and character, which they believe are essential for driving the next phase of the club’s journey.

Alonso arrives at Chelsea with a strong recent record of success. He previously managed Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German club to their first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in the 2023-24 season, securing the domestic double. He also served as manager at Real Madrid, leaving by mutual consent in January 2026 after less than eight months in charge.

Alonso stated he was “delighted” to take the job, describing Chelsea as “one of the biggest clubs in world football.” He expressed shared ambition with the ownership group to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level. Reports indicate that Alonso was Chelsea’s preferred candidate and that the deal was considered a “coup” for the club.