Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a four-year deal, with the Spaniard set to take charge on July 1.
The former Liverpool star has been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid in January, with the 44-year-old departing the Bernabeu shortly after Enzo Maresca left Stamford Bridge.
Maresca's successor at Chelsea, Liam Rosenior, lasted 106 days before he was dismissed on the back of a run of five successive Premier League defeats without scoring.
Chelsea lie in ninth position in the Premier League and could miss out on European football altogether following their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
The Blues can still finish as high as sixth, which would be enough for a Champions League spot in Aston Villa win the Europa League, but they would need to win both of their matches and hope other results go their way to achieve that feat.
Chelsea Confirm Xabi Alonso Appointment as Statement Released
Xabi Alonso
After weeks of talks, Chelsea identified Alonso as their number one target and an agreement is complete in what is seen as a huge coup for the west London outfit.
Speaking about his appointment, Alonso said:
"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.
"From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.
"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."
Under Alonso and this new project, Chelsea chiefs want the club to compete consistently for the biggest honours.
The Spaniard being named as manager rather than head coach is also significant, with Alonso set to work extremely closely with the sporting directors and ownership group, with specific focus on alignment across recruitment, squad planning and performance.
Alonso is the fifth permanent appointment of the BlueCo ownership era, following in the footsteps of Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
Xabi Alonso is a Proven Winner
xabi alonso
Xabi Alonso has continued his decorated playing career into his managerial career.
The 44-year-old won two Champions League titles with Liverpool and Real Madrid as a player, also winning the La Liga title with Los Blancos, and three Bundesliga trophies with Bayern Munich.
Alonso was also part of the Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup.
Since stepping into management, the Spaniard has won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, setting a new European record with his side going 51 matches unbeaten in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign, before a Europa League final defeat against Atalanta.
Alonso left Leverkusen for Real Madrid to replace Carlo Ancelotti after they finished second to Bayern Munich in the following season.