Xabi Alonso called Chelsea one of the biggest clubs in world football after the former Real Madrid manager agreed to take charge at Stamford Bridge.The 44-year-old has signed a four-year deal to be Chelsea boss and will take charge on 1 July.The former Real and Bayer Leverkusen manager becomes the fifth permanent appointment under Chelseas BlueCo ownership, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.It marks a return to English football for Alonso, who made 210 appearances for Liverpool as a player before leaving for Real in 2009 and later ending his playing career with Bayern Munich in 2017.Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club, Alonso said in a statement.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.Alonso has been out of work since his ultimately brief Real Madrid tenurecame to an end in January.Alonso built his reputation during a hugely successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen.Under Alonsos leadership, Leverkusen dethroned Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in 2023-24. Die Werkself won their first Bundesliga title without losing a game and also lifted the DFB-Pokal title to complete a double.Alonsos Leverkusen did not lose a game in that campaign until the Europa League final, in which they slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta.Leverkusen then won the DFL-Supercup the following season before finishing second behind Bayern in the Bundesliga, with Alonso then saying farewell as he headed for Madrid.But the reunion with Los Blancos proved an unsuccessful one, with Alonso removed following defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League and lost Saturdays FA Cup final to Manchester City.Alonso joins list Chelsea managers since 2010Carlo Ancelotti (20092011)Andr Villas-Boas (20112012)Roberto Di Matteo (2012)Jos Mourinho (20132015)Antonio Conte (20162018)Maurizio Sarri (20182019)Frank Lampard (20192021)Thomas Tuchel (20212022)Graham Potter (20222023)Mauricio Pochettino (20232024)Enzo Maresca (20242026)Liam Rosenior (2026)Xabi Alonso (2026Present, taking over officially July 1) Topics Chelsea F.C. Liverpool F.C. Real Madrid CF Xabi Alonso Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Which Premier League games are on TV during the last week of the 2025/26 season? May 2026 schedule, confirmed kick-off times, final day Ben Miller 16th May, 2026 Chelsea 0-1 Man City: 2026 FA Cup final report, result, goals as Semenyo goal gives Cityzens glory Mitch Fretton 16th May, 2026 Chelsea v Manchester City: Live updates as they happened as Semenyo goal settles 2026 FA Cup final Jon Fisher 16th May, 2026 Chelsea vs Man City: FA Cup final 2026 confirmed line-ups, full teams with Rodri, Haaland among starters Mitch Fretton 16th May, 2026 FA Cup final 2026 live: Haaland goal disallowed in Chelsea vs Man City as Premier League title contenders apply huge pressure Ben Miller 16th May, 2026 Arbeloa talks down Mbappe row as Madrid prepare for Sevilla Mitch Fretton 16th May, 2026
