Chelsea confirm Xabi Alonso appointment as Liverpool option removed
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SportFootballXabi AlonsoChelsea have confirmed the appointment of former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso as their new permanent manager Senior Sports Content Creator, Bobby Vincent Senior Chelsea reporter and Amie Wilson Sports Live Writer09:19, 17 May 2026Updated 09:25, 17 May 2026Chelsea have confirmed former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso as the club's new manager. Alonso, who will take up his new position on July 1, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the club and has been available since departing Real Madrid in January following just seven months in charge of the Spanish heavyweights.BlueCo have plumped for Alonso, whom they regard as one of the most exciting managerial prospects in European football, to lead their long-term vision at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso has been handed the title of 'manager' rather than 'head coach', making him the first to assume that designation since Jose Mourinho during his second stint in 2013.The hiring of Alonso is regarded as a significant coup for Chelsea, considering the former Bayer Leverkusen manager is still viewed as one of Europe's top coaches.READ MORE: Steven Gerrard's damning Liverpool theory after Mohamed Salah statement - 'Identity is gone'READ MORE: Chelsea to appoint Xabi Alonso as announcement imminent on Liverpool favouriteThe 44-year-old has repeatedly been linked with the Liverpool position should the Reds opt to part company with Arne Slot, though the Dutchman continues to enjoy the backing of the Anfield hierarchy, despite fans showing their frustrations over the last couple of games.The Reds have had a disappointing season as they looked to defend their Premier League title. The team sit in fifth place in the table and lost 4-2 against Aston Villa in their last outing on Friday night, increasing calls for the club to part ways with Slot.Should there be a change of mind at Anfield, there is no longer the option to bring Alonso back to Anfield, where he spent five years as a player.football.london report that Alonso will be afforded greater authority at Chelsea than previous head coaches and will collaborate alongside the club's five-strong sporting leadership group in this summer's recruitment drive.
It's added that Alonso shares the sporting directors' view on which areas of the squad require strengthening at the conclusion of the campaign.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! Learn moreSky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.Alonso has requested guarantees regarding how much control he will have over all elements of team matters – especially having been forced out by player power during his brief spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.Defeat to Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley means Chelsea face the real possibility of being without European football next season.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCXabi AlonsoChelsea FC