Alonso officially takes over as Chelsea manager

Chelsea Football Club has officially announced the appointment of Spanish coach Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a four-year contract, effective July 1, 2026. The move aims to rebuild the team and restore its domestic and continental standing in the coming years . In a statement published on its official website, the London club explained that Alonso will take over from Liam Rosenior, who was dismissed last month following a string of poor results that sparked discontent within the club and among its fans . Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid manager, expressed his delight at taking charge of Chelsea, stating that managing one of the world's biggest clubs is a great honor for him and that he is eager to begin this new chapter in his coaching career in the English Premier League . Alonso becomes Chelsea's fifth permanent manager since the club's takeover in 2022 by American owners Todd Powell and Clearlake Capital, amidst the team's ongoing instability in recent seasons . The Spanish coach boasts an impressive managerial record, having led Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title and previously managed Real Sociedad's reserve team. This marks his first managerial experience in England, a league he knows well from his illustrious playing career with Liverpool . Alonso faces significant challenges at Chelsea, both on and off the pitch, particularly after the team's recent poor results and their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City. This loss has complicated Chelsea's chances of qualifying for European competitions next season, further increasing the pressure on the Spanish manager as he begins his new role at Stamford Bridge.