Chelsea are set to get a new manager after their 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. The Blues are looking for a new permanent after Liam Rosenior was sacked last month.
Chelsea have reportedly reached an advanced stage in negotiations with Spaniard Xabi Alonso to appoint him as the club’s new manager.
According to BBC Sport, the 44-year-old is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Pensioners. He has previously served as manager at Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.
Other top contenders for the position include Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner.
Reports suggest the club wanted to wait until the FA Cup final against Manchester United before announcing their appointment, which could potentially be announced in the next few days.
Alonso has not joined a team since leaving Real Madrid in January after spending just eight months at the club.
There were rumors that he might move to Liverpool as pressure on incumbent manager Arne Slot was mounting; but it is now understood that the club has decided to go ahead with Slot at least until next season.
Alonso has had a successful run at Bayer Leverkusen, which he managed from October 2022 until the end of the 2024–2025 season.
Under Alonso’s management, Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title and German Cup.
