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<\/p>\nFormer 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 campaign<\/p>\n
09:00, 17 May 2026Updated 16:28, 17 May 2026<\/p>\n
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Xabi Alonso is Chelsea’s new manager(Image: Photo by Alex Grimm\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Xabi Alonso will be expected to guide Chelsea back to being one of Europe\u2019s elite clubs.<\/p>\n
Former Real Madrid<\/a> boss Alonso has agreed a four-year contract with guarantees that he will be given money to spend on big name signings and have a say in transfers. Chelsea<\/a> have given Alonso the title as manager rather than head coach because of his stature in the game but also he will have more authority in the club\u2019s structure.<\/p>\n Incredibly, Alonso is Chelsea\u2019s sixth permanent manager of the Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly era – following on from Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino<\/a>, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior – but there is an admission the club has lost its way.<\/p>\n The Chelsea hierarchy accept they fell below standards this season and are now facing the real prospect of not being in Europe next year after losing the FA Cup<\/a> final to manchester<\/a>-city-fc>Manchester City<\/a> and slipping down the Premier League<\/a> table.<\/p>\n WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football’s greatest tournament – Buy the Special Edition today<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: Antoine Semenyo comes back to haunt Chelsea and win Man City the FA Cup – 5 talking points<\/a>READ MORE: Furious Chelsea fans protest against owners moments before FA Cup final at Wembley<\/a><\/p>\n But after Eghbali and Boehly tried to introduce a different model – buying and selling young players rather than signing established stars – they will now give Alonso a major say on transfers.<\/p>\n Chelsea are certain to be busy this summer as they look to sell and to buy to rebuild their faltering squad as they accept they have fallen well short this season. Chelsea also accept that they will have to buy more proven talent to get back to the top.<\/p>\n Former Liverpool<\/a> midfielder Alonso will work closely with Chelsea\u2019s five sporting directors – headed up by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart – but will have a bigger say than previous managers.<\/p>\n Will Xabi Alonso be a success at Chelsea? Give us your prediction in the comments section<\/a>.<\/p>\n Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n The move is designed to try and win back the fans while also delivering a clear message of intent as they look to get back to challenging for the Premier League title as well as the biggest trophies in Europe.<\/p>\n They believe Alonso is the manager to take the club into the \u201cnext phase\u201d of this ownership and recruiting him is a huge coup because of strong interest from other clubs.<\/p>\n Alonso will officially take over on July 1 and will be unveiled officially after reporting for duty in pre-season.<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us – and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n
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