Xabi Alonso Set to Become Chelsea Manager
LONDON — Xabi Alonso has reportedly come to an agreement to manage Chelsea in the Premier League, according to a source who spoke with The Associated Press on Saturday.
This information was shared on the condition of anonymity, as the club has yet to officially announce the details.
Alonso held discussions with Chelsea last week and is anticipated to sign a four-year deal.
This will mark the Spaniard’s first managerial position after his short tenure at Real Madrid, which lasted less than eight months.
He left Madrid by mutual consent in January following disappointing results and claims in the media that he had lost influence in the locker room.
Even with a brief stint at the Bernabeu, Alonso’s reputation remains intact across Europe, especially after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a double in the German league and Cup, while also challenging Bayern Munich’s stronghold in the Bundesliga.
Chelsea has been on the lookout for a new manager since parting ways with Liam Rosenior last month.
Rosenior is the second manager to be dismissed this year, following the earlier exit of Club World Cup-winning Enzo Maresca in January.
Alonso will be Chelsea’s fifth permanent manager since the club’s acquisition by American owners Todd Boley and Clearlake Capital in 2022.
The team has cycled through a number of coaches, including Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca, and Rosenior, all in the quest for consistent success.
For the moment, club legend Frank Lampard is taking on an interim role, while current interim Callum MacFarlane is managing the first team in his second season.
Despite spending over $1 billion on new signings, Chelsea has yet to contend for a Premier League title under American ownership. Last year, they did secure the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League titles.
Unfortunately, this season appears to be a challenge, with Chelsea likely missing out on Champions League qualification for the third time in four years. They also faced defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, leaving them without a trophy this season.
