Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as manager on a four-year contract from 1 July 2026.
Alonso’s appointment sees him replace Liam Rosenior as Chelsea’s permanent manager after the latter was sacked in late April following a slump in league form, with Calum McFarlane remaining in interim charge for Chelsea’s last two matches of the season.
Alonso will then take up his position on 1 July 2026 on a four-year contract until June 2030, with the 44-year-old Spaniard excited at the challenge ahead although Chelsea are on course to not be involved in any UEFA competition next season as the Premier League table stands.
“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.
“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.”
Alonso began his managerial career at Real Sociedad B between 2019-22 before he took up his first senior managerial role at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led them to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023-24 season, plus the 2024 DFB Supercup.
He left Leverkusen for Real Madrid in May 2025 but was sacked in January following disagreements with the club over the first team’s direction and struggle to implement his style against resistance from the players unwilling to adapt to his vision.
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