ไทย
English
中國人
Chelsea have reportedly agreed a four-year contract with Xabi Alonso to take charge as the club's next manager following their deflating FA Cup final loss.
The west London club have been searching for a new permanent head coach after parting company with both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior during what has proven to be a chaotic 2025–26 campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso, who was dismissed by Real Madrid in early January, quickly emerged as the leading candidate for the role and traveled to London last week to push contract negotiations forward, apparently edging out fellow contender and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
The Athletic reports the Spanish tactician has "accepted the opportunity" to take the reins at Chelsea, with a formal announcement expected shortly. Alonso "wanted" the return to the Premier League, where he spent five seasons as a player with Liverpool.
Alonso Faces a Familiar, Yet Unique Challenge at Stamford Bridge
Stepping into this Chelsea setup presents an entirely different proposition compared to his stints at Bayer Leverkusen or Real Madrid. In Germany, expectations were minimal when Alonso inherited a side mired in the relegation zone. Steering Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga championship was a remarkable achievement, and one that few had anticipated.
The situation at Real Madrid was the polar opposite. Alonso faced enormous pressure to deliver trophies before he had even taken charge of a single match, and when he struggled to unlock the potential of a star-studded squad, he was shown the door.
Now he arrives in west London to find Chelsea representing a curious blend of both previous experiences. The Blues are in freefall, having won just one of their last 11 league outings. They languish ninth in the standings, well adrift of Champions League contention and in danger of missing out on European football altogether.
The Chelsea badge still carries weighty expectations, particularly in the wake of their Club World Cup victory last summer and their promising start to the Premier League season. However, unlike at Real Madrid, Alonso won't have Kylian Mbappé at his disposal. Instead, he inherits a roster filled with underperforming and largely unproven players who need to be shaped into a cohesive winning unit.
Developing young talent is one of Alonso's greatest strengths, as evidenced by the growth of Florian Wirtz and Arda Güler under his guidance. He also possesses the tactical acumen that a Chelsea side desperately crying out for a clear identity on the pitch would greatly benefit from.
There is also the Premier League factor to consider. While Alonso has experience in the league as a player, helping Liverpool lift four major trophies during his time at Anfield, he has never managed in a division as demanding and fiercely competitive as English football's top tier. It is widely acknowledged that La Liga and the Bundesliga pale by comparison.
Throughout all of this, BlueCo will be watching closely, ready to pull the trigger on Alonso should he fail to restore pride and positive results to Stamford Bridge. There is also the possibility that even success may not be enough if he fails to align with their broader vision—as Maresca knows all too well.