Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as manager. He will take up the role on 1 July and has signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The Spanish coach had been out of work since Real Madrid sacked him in January, seven months into the job.
Alonso said: “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.”
Chelsea, currently ninth in the Premier League, have been searching for a new head coach after sacking Liam Rosenior in April. He had been in charge for only three months.
The former Real Madrid boss was Chelsea’s top target. The ex-Liverpool midfielder will be called manager rather than head coach, reflecting his experience and the key role he will play in developing all areas of the club.
As a player, Alonso won the Champions League twice. As a manager, he led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season.
He becomes the fifth permanent appointment under the BlueCo ownership, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
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