Xabi Alonso has agreed to become Chelsea's next permanent head coach on a four-year deal.
The Blues have been looking for a new head coach after Liam Rosenior was sacked in April after only three months in charge, and the former Real Madrid boss has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have moved to secure a manager that won the Champions League twice as a player as well as leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season in his first campaign as a coach in 2023/24.
The other candidates Sky Sports News knew Chelsea were interested in were Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham head coach Marco Silva. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Como's Cesc Fabregas and ex-Flamengo boss Felipe Luis were other names being considered.
Defeat to Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final means Chelsea are likely to be without European football next season for the second time in the BlueCo era.
They are currently ninth in the table, having picked up one point from their last seven Premier League matches.
Alonso will become the fifth permanent appointment of the BlueCo ownership era following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
More to follow…
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faith1984
0
i am very happy that a Spanish coach is signed this time. they should just allow him to sign his type of players.
cayklnpry
0
waiting for Liverpool news since yesterday after the match
lipbcdnrt
1
Andoni Iraola is much better than Alonso
Duediksuy
1
I don't think it's a good idea. Chelsea will spoil his CV even more after what happened at Madrid.
What do you know that happened in Madrid ? You just be talking rubbish
jiwabnoruz
3
there r no egoes in the dressing room to trouble him
nupaimnor
1
They will congratulate for his signing and still congratulate for his dismissal. Chelsea frustration continues 🤣🤣🤣
Meoiklmrsu
3
I’m Madrid fan Buh I like this man very much Trust him he will do the job
youaeiksty
1
Actually, signing him is big news, but sacking him sooner than later won't be a news.
Mohammedyassin1
0
Alonso controls the dressing room
JessBond
1
Alonso will fit well and will exercise his technical experience as a player and now a coach to compete with his fellow Spanish managers in the whelm in the premier league. His presence in the premier league will increase the competition.
Davichi
1
I don't think it's a good idea. Chelsea will spoil his CV even more after what happened at Madrid.
Mohammedyassin1
0
Best couch for Chelsea
rezaostuy
0
Great things
Huwbcilmy
1
Congratulations. you are welcome to Chelsea 💙
austin3451
3
In case Mourinho takes Real Madrid to Europa league, Chelsea will beat them
Cokabeimot
7
welcome to Chelsea Alonso may your reign be filled with success but Chelsea fans also need to understand that he's not a magician, half of our players are not good at the highest level we hope our board will do justice to him by signing the right players for him and please we should also be patient with him when things go South or we risk going back to another miserable season like this one, come on we are Chelsea! Together the good old days will come again one love blue family
austin3451
2
I see chelsea compete for EPL next season.
kofikudoli
0
Alonso has a good CV but this Chelsea team is not what he needs. In football anything can happen but to me this is a bad move for Alan's. Unless the Chelsea hierarchy are open to him building a long term project
noebcenpuy
0
congratulations
podinptuyz
0
Congratulations
vokcksyz
1
this Chelsea owner does not know business at all. As a lean six sigma that 4 years deal is capital loss. what I am expecting him to do for any coach maximum 2 years and renew his contract based on outstanding performance. If you sack him before 4 years, you will pay again to fulfill the contract. Be a smart business man.
Ferdous22
0
Welcome back gentleman❤️
flawless136
1
If the players cooperate with him, he will succeed as Chelsea coach
Sikabnoyz
7
Real Madrid will regret sacking him. Good decision by Chelsea