Xabi Alonso has accepted Chelsea’s offer to become the club’s new head coach, with the agreement nearing completion and an official announcement expected in the coming days. The Spanish manager, who guided Bayer Leverkusen to significant success since taking over in 2022, is set to sign a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Xabi Alonso agrees to become Chelsea’s next manager
Alonso’s agreement is reported to be until June 2030, and the deal will be announced in the next few hours. His contract runs from July 1st, but set to start working immediately.
Alonso’s appointment follows Chelsea’s decision to sack Liam Rosenior in April 2026 after a turbulent period under BlueCo ownership. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Alonso will have substantial input on transfers and strategic direction as the Blues continue its squad rebuilding efforts.
Alonso left Real Madrid as head coach in January 2026. He departed by mutual consent after just over seven months in charge. Alonso had been appointed in late May 2025 and officially started on June 1, 2025. His exit came one day after Real Madrid’s 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Meanwhile, the move marks a significant coup for the Premier League side, securing one of European football’s most highly regarded young coaches, known for his tactics, possession-based style, and ability to develop players.
Alonso left Leverkusen after transforming the Bundesliga side into consistent title contenders. His arrival at Chelsea is expected to bring stability and a clear footballing philosophy to a club that has seen frequent managerial changes in recent years.
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