Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager after disappointing season

London: Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a four-year contract starting in July, the Premier League club said on Sunday, tasking the Spaniard with reviving their fortunes after a turbulent, trophy-less season.

The 44-year-old’s appointment comes a day after Chelsea were beaten 1–0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup final, ending the London club’s hopes of salvaging a disappointing campaign with silverware.

“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club,” Alonso said in a statement on the club’s website.

“From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition.”

Alonso will look to steady the club after a turbulent season in which Chelsea dismissed two managers — Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior — with the latter sacked in April following seven defeats in eight matches across all competitions.

With two Premier League games remaining, five-time champions Chelsea sit ninth in the table, although they still have a slim chance of qualifying for Europe.

“We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies,” Alonso said.

The move marks a return to English football for Alonso, who made 210 appearances for Liverpool before joining Real Madrid in 2009 and later finishing his playing career with Bayern Munich in 2017.

After retiring as a player, Alonso began his coaching career at Real Madrid’s youth academy and later managed Real Sociedad’s reserve team.

He rose to prominence at Bayer Leverkusen, taking charge in 2022 and guiding the club to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season, along with the German Cup and a run to the Europa League final.

That success earned him a return to Real Madrid as head coach, though his spell was reportedly affected by internal tensions, including disputes with senior players.

He was dismissed in January, less than eight months after taking charge.

As a player, the former Spain international made 236 appearances for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2014, winning La Liga, two Copa del Rey titles and the club’s 10th European Cup.

He also earned 114 caps for Spain, winning the World Cup and two European Championships.

Alonso becomes the fifth permanent manager under Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca and Rosenior.

The season began with Chelsea as FIFA Club World Cup champions, but early promise faded amid poor form, managerial changes and fan protests.

Chelsea have spent £1.8 billion on signings since 2022, yet consistent progress has remained elusive.

A supporters’ group staged a protest ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley, criticising the club’s direction.

Alonso will now be tasked with building a competitive side capable of returning to the top of the Premier League.

“There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club,” he said. “Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”

Caretaker manager Calum McFarlane will remain in charge until the end of the season, with Chelsea set to face Tottenham Hotspur at home on Tuesday.