Chelsea next manager: Xabi Alonso confirms Stamford Bridge move imminent

Xabi Alonso has seemingly confirmed on social media that he is set to become the next manager of Chelsea.

The Spaniard has reportedly reached an agreement with the Blues to take over as permanent boss following a chaotic season that saw the club dismiss two managers.

The 44-year-old is believed to have travelled to London earlier this month to finalise a four-year contract, and the move now appears to be entering its final stages.

Alonso appeared to all but rubber-stamp the switch after sharing a Marca story on X reporting his agreement with Chelsea, seemingly putting to rest any lingering uncertainty surrounding the move to Stamford Bridge.

Fabrizio Romano has also reported that although Alonso’s contract will officially begin on July 1, he is expected to start working immediately behind the scenes on transfer planning.

Xabi Alonso: Chelsea announcement imminent

Chelsea had been assessing several candidates as they searched for a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior, with outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola also emerging as a serious contender.

However, Alonso was widely regarded as Chelsea’s preferred choice throughout the process, with the former Liverpool midfielder also believed to be keen on the move.

His managerial stock soared during his remarkable spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he delivered the club’s first Bundesliga title in 2023-24 as part of an extraordinary unbeaten domestic campaign, which ultimately earned him the Real Madrid job.

Los Blancos made a bright start under Alonso, winning 10 of his first 11 La Liga matches, but a sharp decline in form eventually led to his departure in January.

Xabi Alonso appointment: Smart move from Chelsea?

Rosenior was initially appointed following Enzo Maresca’s exit in January, but a disastrous run of five consecutive Premier League defeats brought his tenure to a swift end.

Calum McFarlane was placed in interim charge until the end of the season, but his spell has done little to strengthen any case for a permanent appointment.

Chelsea have moved decisively to secure a long-term manager before the summer transfer window and the disruption of the World Cup period, which will be viewed internally as an important step towards restoring stability.

Alonso’s success at Leverkusen proved his ability to build a cohesive, winning side, while his stature as a former world-class player could help him command the authority that previous appointments appeared to lack.