After six months out of work, Xabi Alonso has taken on a new challenge: the former Leverkusen championship-winning coach is taking over at Chelsea FC. And the 44-year-old isn’t shying away from the next powder keg.
By now, Xabi Alonso might well be glad that he is no longer the coach of Real Madrid. After his dismissal in January, the Royals sank into complete chaos under successor Álvaro Arbeloa within a few months—and finished their second consecutive season without a single title.
But Xabi Alonso still doesn’t shy away from difficult tasks. His new job makes that clear: As has now been officially announced, the 44-year-old will take over Chelsea FC on July 1. The fickle London club, whose officials aren’t exactly known for their patience with underperforming coaches, has signed Xabi Alonso to a four-year contract running through June 30, 2030.
Will the former midfield maestro get the chance to implement his playing philosophy in the blue half of London? Co-owner Todd Boehly has likely assured him of that. “From my discussions with the ownership group and the sporting leadership, it is clear that we share the same goals. We want to build a team capable of consistently competing at the highest level and fighting for titles. The squad is full of great talent, and this club has enormous potential—it will be a great honor for me to lead it,” the Spaniard is quoted as saying.
Xabi Alonso proved in Leverkusen what he is capable of when given the necessary time. With the fabulous 2023/24 season, which ended with a double and the first undefeated championship in Bundesliga history, Xabi Alonso attracted a lot of interest.
However, his dream destination of Madrid, where he was extremely successful as a player, ultimately turned out to be a nightmare after another year in Leverkusen. Now Xabi Alonso wants to make his mark as a coach in the Premier League. Between 2004 and 2009, he won the hearts of Liverpool FC fans with his elegant playing style up front.
No Time for Rosenior
Starting this summer, Xabi Alonso will continue his career at Chelsea FC. The Blues, who are still fighting for a spot in European competition, parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day—and subsequently signed Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior to a contract through 2032. The hoped-for savior? A fallacy. Instead of seven years, the 41-year-old Englishman lasted only three and a half months, being relieved of his duties at the end of April after a lack of results.
With Xabi Alonso, everything is now set to change. He has no title to defend in his debut season: In the FA Cup final, his new team lost 0-1 to rivals Manchester City.
