Chelsea close to appointing Xabi Alonso as permanent head coach
Talks between Chelsea and the 44-year-old have concluded, with a four-year deal expected to follow the club’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City.
Chelsea are nearing a formal agreement to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new permanent head coach, according to reports from BBC Sport. The 44-year-old Spaniard is expected to sign a four-year contract, ending a search that has seen the club contact several other prospective managers, including Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Oliver Glasner.
Alonso, who previously managed Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, has emerged as the club’s preferred candidate after weeks of discussions. He is set to replace Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month, as Chelsea look to stabilise a season that has fallen short of expectations. The club entered the campaign with Champions League status and the FIFA Club World Cup title but failed to qualify for European competition.
The appointment has been delayed until after the FA Cup final against Manchester City to avoid distracting the squad. Manchester City secured a 1-0 victory, extending Chelsea’s winless run in the final to four consecutive defeats since 2020. The club intends to make the announcement public in the coming days once the final is concluded.
Reports suggest that Alonso may be granted significant control over squad construction, a potential shift from the operational model typically enforced by owners BlueCo. This change in authority could have implications for Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) compliance, particularly if the club undertakes a major overhaul involving established top-tier talent rather than developing young prospects.
Alonso has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in January after less than eight months in charge. He previously led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title and the German Cup in the 2023-24 campaign without losing a league game. While he has been linked with a return to Liverpool, where he played for five seasons, the Anfield club are expected to retain Arne Slot for the next season.
