Xabi Alonso is close to becoming the new Chelsea manager with a full agreement close to completion.
The Blues, led by interim boss Calum McFarlane, lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, with Antoine Semenyo’s goal the difference at Wembley Stadium.
But Chelsea appear close to installing Alonso as their new manager, with a four-year contract thought to be agreeable to both parties.
And Alonso will become Chelsea’s next manager, not head coach, with the club eager to install the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss as the face of the project.
After a turbulent time at the Bernabeu, which resulted in his sacking in January, Alonso is ready to dive back into management in time for the 2026/27 season after establishing himself as one of the best young managers in the sport during his time in Germany.
Despite his availability and allegiance with Liverpool from his playing days, a move to Anfield is not thought to have been a consideration with the Reds keen to retain Arne Slot, despite Friday’s loss to Aston Villa, with the Independent’s Inside Football newsletter detailing the club’s stance on their manager.
Chelsea had considered the likes of Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva with both managers available given their expiring contracts this summer.
The Spaniard will become the fifth permanent at Stamford Bridge in the BlueCo ownership era, with Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior all coming before him.
After sacking Rosenior, the club concluded that “a period of reflection” would run alongside the search for their next boss.
But despite his youth, Alonso’s experience at two major European clubs is a shift in the previous appointments.
After failing to defeat City in the FA Cup final, there is unlikely to be any European football next season, for the second time in the BlueCo era.
The Blues are ninth in the table following a torrid run of just one point from their last seven Premier League matches.