Chelsea have named Xabi Alonso as their new manager, with the Spanish coach signing a four-year contract to take over at Stamford Bridge.
This is a major coup for Chelsea and a much-needed boost as their talented young squad has endured a tough few months.
Alonso has been out of work since he was fired by Real Madrid in January, and reports have stated that Alonso was Chelsea’s first-choice to become their new manager.
The Spaniard is one of the hottest coaching properties in the world and had plenty of options, but his comments about taking over at Chelsea will excite fans of the Blues.
“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club,” the former Spain, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder said. “From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies. There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honor to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”
Xabi Alonso the correct hire for Chelsea
We are talking about one of the top managers in the game who won the title at Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and did wonderful work there to totally transform a big club and set high standards which were looked on in awe across Europe.
He then got the opportunity to join Real Madrid and couldn’t say no, but things didn’t go as well their this season and that can happen after replacing a legendary figure like Carlo Ancelotti. But that experience doesn’t mean Alonso won’t work at Chelsea.
The club said the following about Alonso, as they lauded his leadership and people skills: “His appointment reflects the club’s belief in his broad set of experiences, coaching quality and game model, leadership attributes, character and integrity, which were key to the decision to ask him to help lead the next phase of Chelsea’s journey. He is regarded not only as an outstanding football coach, but also as a proven leader and partner across a number of areas essential to the demands of driving the team.”
If Alonso is given the kind of control he needs over tactics, player recruitment and building an identity and philosophy, then he will succeed at Chelsea. The fact he was named as Chelsea’s ‘manager’ rather than ‘head coach’ was telling, and that will have also been a big reason why he’s taken this job as so many top clubs in Europe were after Alonso.
The Spaniard needs time, of course, and that is obviously something Chelsea have to be willing to give him after their recent hiring and firing routine. Now is the time for Chelsea to give Alonso two to three years, at least, to turn things around and build something sustainable.
Alonso has proven he is a detailed orientated coach who will find the right system, and players, to implement an attractive and effective team. Chelsea have got this right. Time will tell just how successful it is, but Alonso is the best coach they could’ve hired at this time. Well done.