Former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has agreed to take charge at Chelsea and return to the Premier League as a manager
18:12, 16 May 2026
Xabi Alonso has agreed to become the new Chelsea head coach
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Xabi Alonso has agreed to become the new Chelsea head coach
Chelsea are on the verge of announcing Xabi Alonso as the club's next head coach.
The Spaniard, who has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in January after just seven months at the helm of the Spanish giants.
Alonso, 44, had been one of a number of coaches on the west London club's shortlist as they looked for a permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior. Having explored the credentials of Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva, club bosses duly intensified their pursuit of the former Liverpool midfielder.
And they became encouraged by Alonso's camp that he was keen to jump into Premier League management at Stamford Bridge - despite his Anfield connections - leading to growing confidence that a deal could be struck.
Now they are on the verge of an agreement, which could come as soon as Sunday, with Alonso ready to take charge this summer.
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