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Chelsea Hire Xabi Alonso as Manager Starting July 2026

5/17/2026

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Summary

Alonso Joins Chelsea

Chelsea appointed former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as manager on a four-year contract starting 1 July 2026.
Alonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga and cup double in 2023-24 and recorded a 70 % win rate (24 of 34) at Real Madrid.
Chelsea finished 2025-26 trophyless, ninth in the Premier League, after spending about £2 bn since the 2022 BlueCo takeover and planning three to four signings such as centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

Summary

Alonso Chelsea Manager

Xabi Alonso will join Chelsea as manager in July, with the squad already voicing support.
Xabi Alonso's appointment could free Crystal Palace to hire Andoni Iraola, who is set to leave Bournemouth.
Oliver Glasner will leave Crystal Palace after the Conference League final on 27 May.
Xabi Alonso becomes the fifth permanent manager appointed under BlueCo ownership and will lead the summer transfer window to add experienced first-team players.

History

Historical Context

After Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 for £30 million, the club embarked on a spending spree that produced back-to-back trophies under foreign managers such as José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, who secured the 2010 Premier League-FA Cup double. This pattern of high-profile appointments and heavy investment frames the 2026 hiring of Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge.

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Alonso Joins Chelsea

Chelsea appointed former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as manager on a four-year contract starting 1 July 2026.
Alonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga and cup double in 2023-24 and recorded a 70 % win rate (24 of 34) at Real Madrid.
Chelsea finished 2025-26 trophyless, ninth in the Premier League, after spending about £2 bn since the 2022 BlueCo takeover and planning three to four signings such as centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

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