Revealed: Big Chelsea manager update today
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Credit: Imago Sun 17 May 2026 6:45, UK Xabi Alonso is expected to be announced as Chelsea’s next manager in the next few days, sources have told Football Insider.The 44-year-old has agreed the terms of a four-year contract with the west London club, who were beaten in Saturday’s FA Cup final.Alonso will be the permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was sacked by the club last month after a series of defeats.Chelsea have interviewed multiple managers in their search, including Premier League duo Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva, but have opted for a man who is a domestic winner of one of Europe’s top leagues and will command instant respect following a stellar playing career. Previously, Alonso has managed Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga title unbeaten.
However, this was followed up with a less successful spell at Real Madrid, which ended in January 2026, where he struggled to control a notoriously difficult dressing room full of outsized egos.Chelsea’s next manager search has intensified in recent days and the club are believed to be unconcerned about Alonso’s strong links with Liverpool, who could also be looking for a new manager given the growing anti-Arne Slot mood on Merseyside. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES 👔 Chelsea Manager News👔 Get the inside track on the Stamford Bridge dugout with updates on shortlisted candidates and BlueCo technical strategy.
VISIT THE MANAGER HUB How good is Xabi Alonso?Despite his poor reign at Real Madrid, Alonso is still highly regarded by many in the footballing world.The Spaniard’s work at Leverkusen was highly impressive, as he won three trophies at the club in just under three seasons.Xabi Alonso’s record at Real Madrid Games managed34Wins 24Draws 4Losses 6Win percentage70.59%Alonso’s record was solid at Real MadridWhile this success was not repeated at Madrid, he still managed to leave the Spanish capital with a 70.59 win percentage.Chelsea will no doubt be a difficult task, given the issues they have had in 2026.However, the appointment of Alonso will no doubt excite many Blues fans as they look to return to their former glory in the Premier League.Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Alonso will be a success at Chelsea.What are Chelsea’s summer transfer window plans?Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, exclusively told Football Insider that Chelsea will be relying on player trading in the upcoming transfer window.Figures by UEFA revealed that Chelsea made a pre-tax loss of £342million across the 2024-25 season, with the club having previously sold their women’s team and hotels to bring in revenue.As a result, the club may need to sell players to bring more talent into Stamford Bridge this summer.This will no doubt present a challenge for Alonso, who will be looking to eventually guide Chelsea back to the Champions League next season.However, it remains to be seen what the Blues’ transfer business will be in the summer transfer window as they look to heavily upgrade their squad after what has been a disappointing campaign. 🦁 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Chelsea Insider Access Get the full story from Stamford Bridge and Cobham with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from West London.