Xabi Alonso given Chelsea job title reserved for Jose Mourinho in major statement

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SportFootballXabi AlonsoXabi Alonso has been confirmed as the new Chelsea manager, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal.Xabi Alonso has been unveiled as Chelsea's new manager, with the former Real Madrid boss handed a distinctly different title from his predecessors at Stamford Bridge.The Spaniard has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal with the Blues, which gets underway on 1 July. Interim head coach Calum McFarlane will take charge for the club's remaining two Premier League fixtures this season.Alonso becomes the sixth permanent boss under BlueCo's ownership - but crucially, he is the first to carry the title of 'manager' rather than 'head coach', a title last used by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea back in 2013.

The change signals the club's intention to grant Alonso greater authority over off-the-pitch affairs, transfer business included.READ MORE: Xabi Alonso lets slip Chelsea appointment as Liverpool icon to complete moveREAD MORE: Antoine Semenyo comes back to haunt Chelsea and win Man City the FA Cup - 5 talking pointsFOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news and more on our dedicated Facebook pagefootball.london reports the club felt Alonso warranted the elevated title based on his outstanding track record in the game.

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