sports
Xabi Alonso Appointed Chelsea Manager After Leading Leverkusen to Unbeaten Bundesliga Title
Xabi Alonso has been named Chelsea's new manager. The appointment follows his unbeaten Bundesliga win with Bayer Leverkusen and comes amid the club's recent poor performance.
Jul 13, 5:30 PM·1m read1 source
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Xabi Alonso has been appointed Chelsea manager, The Independent reported. He previously managed Real Madrid for seven months and led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title that ended Bayern Munich's long dominance. Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season and missed European competition.
No manager at the club has lasted longer than two years since Antonio Conte, and four have departed mid-season in the past five years. Alonso said the timing aligned with a good opportunity. "Time will tell," he stated.
He added that he is optimistic about a strong season but declined to predict results by May. Alonso will participate in transfer decisions alongside Chelsea's five sporting directors. The club has not signed any player over the age of 21 since his appointment.
He said the squad needs reinforcement to compete in every match when the 2025-26 season opens on 24 August. Alonso refused to discuss a possible reunion with Granit Xhaka. He noted that he grew up in the Basque Country with Mikel Arteta and will face fellow Basque managers Arteta, Unai Emery, and Andoni Iraola in the Premier League.
