Chelsea confirm stunning Xabi Alonso appointment as ex-Real Madrid manager pens big deal

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SportFootballXabi AlonsoFormer Real Madrid boss and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been appointed Chelsea's new permanent manager and will start work in the summer ahead of the 2026-27 campaign09:00, 17 May 2026Updated 09:12, 17 May 2026Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager. Alonso, 44, has put pen to paper on a four-year contract and will start at the end of this season.The Spaniard's arrival at Stamford Bridge represents a major coup for the Blues, having been courted by Europe's elite as recently as last summer.

Alonso won the Bundesliga title and German cup in his first full season at Bayer Leverkusen, success which earned him the Real Madrid job.His short-lived tenure at the Bernabeu was laced with turbulence, though, and he was sacked seven months into a three-year deal. Alonso was immediately linked with Liverpool, with his former club struggling under Arne Slot.But the ex-midfielder will return to the Premier League for the first time as a manager with Chelsea rather than his old employers.

A statement confirming the news came less than 24 hours after Saturday's FA Cup final under interim manager Calum McFarlane.The Blues lost 1-0 to manchester-city-fc>Manchester City courtesy of Antoine Semenyo's second-half goal. 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.