Xabi Alonso gets Chelsea job title saved for Jose Mourinho as BlueCo make major change
Xabi Alonso has signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge and will start his role on July 1
Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager rather than head coach(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.)
Xabi Alonso has been confirmed as the new Chelsea manager. The former Real Madrid boss has a different title from previous head coaches at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard has signed a four-year contract with the Blues which will start on July 1. Interim head coach Calum McFarlane will lead the team for the final two Premier League games of the season.
Alonso will be the sixth permanent boss under the ownership of BlueCo. But he is the first to hold the title of ‘manager’ instead of ‘head coach’, a job name that was last used at Chelsea by Jose Mourinho in 2013. It indicates that the club will hand over more control to Alonso over off the pitch matters, including transfers.
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Sources indicate that the club believe that Alonso deserves the title given his track record in football. Before joining Real last summer, the former midfielder led Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2023/24, with the side enjoying an unbeaten season.
The 44-year-old is expected to be heavily part of plans for the summer transfer window. He will be part of the process in identifying transfer targets over the summer as they look to strengthen the squad.
Alonso has a strong alignment with the Chelsea board, which was clear from the first conversation between the parties.
Speaking following his appointment, the Spaniard 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.
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“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 replaces Liam Rosenior in the dugout at Stamford Bridge. The former Strasbourg boss lasted just 23 games in charge at the club and was sacked following a 3-0 defeat against Brighton in April.
