The pain of an FA Cup final defeat does not seem as deep now that Chelsea have confirmed Xabi Alonso as the club’s next manager, and it comes after Alonso convinced the Blues during talks.
Antoine Semenyo’s gorgeous goal secured the title for Man City on Saturday, squeezing the ball past Robert Sanchez with a backheel volley after a cross from Erling Haaland. A moment of pure genius.
It’s going to be a big summer for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea!
Xabi Alonso graphic
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Another moment of genius came after the match, though. Joe Cole might have been fuming with it, but Chelsea’s decision to leak the imminent announcement of Alonso has paid off. Blues fans are delighted.
The disappointment of losing the FA Cup final seems to have paled into insignificance. A blatant PR move by the hierarchy, but nevertheless, one that has worked. Now, details of Alonso’s talks are emerging.
Chelsea loved what Alonso told them in managerial talks
The main takeaway from Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea manager is that he has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge. Not only that, but he is Chelsea manager, not the club’s head coach.
It signals the power Chelsea are handing Alonso. BlueCo’s four managerial appointments before Alonso were all head coaches, again intensifying just how big a move that is from the hierarchy and BlueCo.
Real Madrid CF v Real Betis Balompie - LaLiga EA Sports
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According to The Guardian, Chelsea are in awe of Alonso and it is because of something the Spaniard said during talks ahead of confirmation. Indeed, the report says he spoke about changing the club’s culture.
Alonso is said to have spoken about signing ‘mentality monsters’ at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are said to have been delighted with that take from the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager.
The relationship between Chelsea’s owners and Alonso in talks
The same report states that there was an ‘easy rapport’ between Chelsea and Alonso, with the Spaniard noted as easy to get along with. Hopefully, that remains if BlueCo keep their promise to the new gaffer.
Has Xabi Alonso chosen the right TWO players to build his Chelsea team around?🤔
Xabi Alonso wants to keep Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella
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Craig Burley thinks BlueCo have lied to Alonso and will continue their involvement at Stamford Bridge. But the details we do know, officially, are that Chelsea will target older players and Alonso is the ‘manager’.
In his first words as Chelsea manager, Alonso states that he and the board are aligned after conversations ahead of being confirmed as the club’s sixth manager under BlueCo’s ownership, since the 2022 takeover.
It feels like a new era, the beginning of something new at Chelsea, and something fans have been calling for. Whether or not it proves to be a success is down to Alonso, and if BlueCo stick to their promises.
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