Xabi Alonso is set to be appointed as Chelsea’s new manager, just four months after being dismissed by Real Madrid, according to multiple media reports on Saturday.
The Spaniard has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with the Premier League club and could be unveiled before Chelsea’s match against Tottenham on Tuesday, the Press Association reported.
Chelsea are understood to have moved quickly to secure Alonso despite initially not planning to appoint a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior before the end of the season.
His arrival would mark a significant coup for the Blues, who are enduring a difficult campaign capped by a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Alonso earned widespread acclaim during his spell at Bayer Leverkusen, guiding the German side to an unbeaten Bundesliga and cup double in the 2023/24 season.
However, his tenure at Real Madrid was short-lived, lasting just seven months before he was replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.
A former Liverpool midfielder during his playing career in England, Alonso would become the fifth permanent manager at Chelsea since the BlueCo takeover in 2022, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea currently sit ninth in the Premier League and are at risk of missing out on European qualification, with only two matches remaining in the season.
