Xabi Alonso reaches agreement with Chelsea for 4-year-deal as manager
London, May 17
Former Real Madrid legend Xabi Alonso has reached an agreement with Chelsea to become their permanent manager on a four-year deal, reported Sky Sports.
The former Real Madrid boss is Chelsea's number one target and would be starting work at Stamford Bridge from July onwards for pre-season. Last night, Chelsea registered a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Chelsea have not had the best season so far; they are currently in ninth place in the Premier League, with 13 wins, 10 draws and 10 losses, giving them 49 points and keeping them 30 points away from table-toppers Arsenal.
The Blues had sacked Liam Rosenior in April after three months in charge following a string of poor performances and had been looking for a new head coach. The current interim boss is Calum McFarlane
Alonso, who has the experience of playing in the highly intense Premier League environment with Liverpool, will be the manager, instead of head coach, in Chelsea's recognition of his experience in English football from 2004 to 2009 and the key role he will be playing to develop the club across all aspects.
Alonso's availability had created some buzz around a potential return to Liverpool after a struggle-filled season for Liverpool, who are placed fifth and are not truly assured of their place in the UEFA Champions League, with them and fourth-placed Aston Villa having one match each to go. In their previous match, Aston had beaten Liverpool 4-2 to secure the fourth spot.
However, Dutchman Arne Slot, who led the team to the Premier League title last season, expects to retain his job.
The other coaches on Chelsea's shortlist were Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham head coach Marco Silva, with the former said to have impressed Chelsea leadership as well.
Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Como's Cesc Fabregas and ex-Flamengo boss Felipe Luis were also among the considered options. But Alonso, who has been seeking work since being sacked by Real Madrid in January, seven months into his stint with Spanish giants, looks more or less confirmed to be the manager, with an announcement expected on Sunday.
Xabi has won two UEFA Champions Leagues as a player, one each with Liverpool and Real Madrid, and also captured the FA Cup, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Bundesliga (with Bayern Munich) as a player.
In his first stint as a coach, he led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title win back in 2023/24.
When the announcement comes, Alonso will be the fifth permanent appointment of the BlueCo ownership era of Chelsea, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an American Chelsea fan, I'm cautiously optimistic. Alonso's Bundesliga unbeaten run with Leverkusen was remarkable. But the Premier League is a different beast altogether. Let's see if he can handle the pressure at Stamford Bridge. 🙏
Interesting choice, but I wonder why Alonso rejected Liverpool's potential interest? Or was it mutual? Liverpool fans must be heartbroken seeing him go to a rival club. Meanwhile, Chelsea fans can only hope he brings back the glory days. 🤞
Bit worried that he was sacked by Real Madrid after just 7 months. That's a red flag. But then again, he did win Bundesliga unbeaten with Leverkusen. Yaar, it's a gamble either way. Hope he proves the doubters wrong.
Chelsea fans need to be patient. This team has been in disarray since Abramovich left. Alonso is a good tactician, but he needs the board's backing in the transfer market. Let's judge him after at least one full season, not after 10 matches. 🤷♂️
I'm just happy to see a proper football brain coming in. Xabi Alonso was one of the most intelligent players of his generation. Hope he brings that same vision to the dugout. And please, Chelsea, no more panic buys this summer! 😤
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