Chelsea Football Newsletter
Xabi Alonso has spoken of his "immense pride" in his first words as Chelsea manager.
The Spaniard was on Sunday morning confirmed to be joining the Blues on July 1, having signed a four-year deal to become the permanent successor to the sacked Liam Rosenior.
Alonso's appointment ends a swift by thorough search for a new Chelsea manager, which included interest in Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva and Filipe Luis.
The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen soon emerged as the leading contender, and an agreement was reached on Saturday ahead of Sunday's announcement.
And Alonso has now confirmed that talks with the club hierarchy proved key.
Alonso told the club's official website: "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."
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