Chelsea have officially appointed Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach.
The former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager has signed a deal that will begin in July, the club have confirmed.
Alonso is set to return to the Premier League after a five-year spell at Liverpool during his playing career.
Since retiring in in 2017, Alonso has built an impressive reputation as a coach, most notably with Leverkusen, who he led to the Bundesliga title in 2023/24.
Leverkusen had never previously been crowned German champions and completed the Bundesliga’s first-ever unbeaten season in the process.
Alonso said he is delighted to join ‘one of the biggest clubs in world football’ and is confident he can help a talented squad compete for trophies.
“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.
“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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