Xabi Alonso says there is ‘immense pride’ at being named Chelsea manager
Spaniard handed four-year deal a day after the team’s 1-0 defeat at hands of Manchester City in FA Cup final
Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club’s latest manager on Sunday on a four-year deal with the Spaniard tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes.
Alonso replaces Liam Rosenior, who was fired last month, and will become the fifth permanent coach appointed by Chelsea’s American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital since they bought the club in 2022.
The former Real Madrid boss will take charge of the Blues from July 1 in what is his first managerial role in the Premier League.
Callum McFarlane has been in interim charge since Rosenior’s departure and was on the touchline for Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City on Saturday.
It emerged soon after the 1-0 defeat that Chelsea had reached an agreement in principle with Alonso, who becomes the latest appointment under BlueCo’s ownership.
The 44-year-old Spaniard said on chelseafc.com: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.