Xabi Alonso, 44, has agreed a four-year contract after visiting London last week, as Chelsea look to move on from Liam Rosenior’s sacking and Calum McFarlane’s interim spell following defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Chelsea’s next chapter is already being written, with Xabi Alonso set to take over the club after agreeing a deal to become the next manager.
The 44-year-old visited London last week and has now finalized a four-year contract, with an announcement expected soon. The shift comes as Chelsea search for stability after a season that ended in disappointment, with the club falling to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
The managerial carousel began in April, when Chelsea fired Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge. His dismissal followed five straight Premier League losses, leaving Calum McFarlane as interim manager since Rosenior’s exit.
Alonso’s own coaching path has been marked by big moments. He transitioned into management in 2019 after a lengthy playing career, taking charge of Real Sociedad from 2019 to 2022 and then Bayer Leverkusen from 2022 to 2025. Under his leadership, Leverkusen won its first Bundesliga title in 2023-24.
The move back to a top European club, though, isn’t coming after a smooth ride.. Alonso took over Real Madrid next, but was sacked in January, just seven months into a three-year deal.. Real Madrid fell behind Barcelona for first place. and Alonso’s dismissal followed a loss to them in the Supercopa de España final a day before his exit.
There’s a clear sequence in Chelsea’s recent decisions: Liam Rosenior was dismissed after a run of five straight Premier League losses. Calum McFarlane filled the interim role. and now a new four-year contract is being finalized as Chelsea prepare to start fresh immediately after the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
For Chelsea, the timing adds pressure—an interim spell has carried them to the weekend’s result, and Alonso’s appointment is expected to formalize the club’s next direction quickly.
Chelsea Xabi Alonso Premier League FA Cup final Liam Rosenior Calum McFarlane Real Sociedad Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga title Real Madrid Supercopa de España