Xabi Alonso has reportedly finalised the structure of the coaching team that will work alongside him at Stamford Bridge, with a seven-man group set to be in place when he officially begins his role on July 1. The Spaniard, announced as the new boss of the Blues on Sunday morning after the FA Cup final loss to Manchester City, has opted to mix his trusted Spanish lieutenants with familiar Chelsea personnel for the new era.
The 44-year-old has agreed a deal until 2030 and, according to multiple reports, will hold the title of manager rather than head coach, giving him greater influence across the football operation. Chelsea recognised mistakes of the past and wanted to give Alonso more authority than some of his predecessors. This is a conscious change after the stormy tenures of Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior under BlueCo.
Alonso’s long-time assistant since the start of their professional partnership in 2018 at Real Madrid’s academy, Sebastián “Sebas” Parrilla, will head the Spanish contingent travelling to west London. Parrilla has followed the Basque coach through all the steps of his coaching career, from Real Sociedad B to Bayer Leverkusen and, most recently, Real Madrid.
Other assistants with Alonso will be Alberto Encinas and Benat Labaien, along with fitness coach Ismael Camenforte Lopez, who also worked with Alonso in Spain and at Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea’s set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva and head of goalkeeping Ben Roberts are expected to remain as part of Alonso’s staff. The most curious inclusion, though, is interim head coach Calum McFarlane, who’s viewed by Chelsea’s hierarchy as a promising young coach worth keeping in the first-team fold.
Calum McFarlane Set To Remain In New Chelsea Setup
The Scotsman has enjoyed a surprising journey under BlueCo, with the owners keen for him to keep developing with an elite operator like Alonso. McFarlane has twice stepped in as interim manager this season and was said to have texted Alonso on Sunday after the FA Cup final defeat at Wembley.
The 38-year-old is only expected to oversee Chelsea’s final two Premier League games against Tottenham and Sunderland before quitting. When quizzed on the future, McFarlane insisted his attention remained on the immediate task rather than long-term considerations within the club.
Chelsea remain ninth in the Premier League and face the prospect of missing out on European football altogether if the results in the last two fixtures don’t go their way. Alonso’s full coaching team will officially begin work on July 1, ahead of pre-season preparations.