News · 17 May 2026

Xabi Alonso becomes Chelsea's new manager on four-year deal

Rufus46 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Chelsea's appointment of Xabi Alonso shows a shift, with owners now acknowledging the significant impact of a manager's reputation. The 44-year-old confirmed a four-year contract to manage, having led Bayer Leverkusen to their 2024 Bundesliga title. His arrival makes him either the fifth or sixth permanent manager appointed at Chelsea since the BlueCo consortium took over in 2022, with sources providing conflicting counts.

By BriefTea Editorial · 17 May 2026 at 15:03

Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs