Chelsea Football Club have officially announced the appointment of former Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso as the club’s new manager ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 44-year-old has signed a four-year contract and will officially begin work at Stamford Bridge on July 1, 2026.
The announcement comes after weeks of speculation linking Alonso with the Premier League side.
Chelsea described Alonso as one of the most respected young coaches in European football.
The club believes his calm leadership, tactical flexibility and experience at the highest level make him the right man to lead the team into a new era.
Alonso arrives with an impressive coaching record. He previously managed German side Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the club to its first-ever Bundesliga title. He also had a short spell with Real Madrid before leaving earlier this year.
As a player, Alonso enjoyed a successful career with clubs such as Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
He won several major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup with Spain.
Chelsea have endured a difficult 2025/26 season, finishing ninth in the Premier League and losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City.
The club has gone through several managerial changes since the BlueCo ownership took over in 2022.
Reports suggest Chelsea’s owners see Alonso as a long-term project manager who can rebuild the team and create a winning culture at the club.
Speaking after the announcement, Alonso said he was proud to join one of the biggest clubs in world football and expressed excitement about the future.
