Xabi Alonso has agreed to become Chelsea’s next permanent head coach on a four-year deal.

Chelsea have been looking for a new head coach after Liam Rosenior was sacked in April after only three months in charge, and the former Real Madrid boss was the number one target to take over at Stamford Bridge.

The other candidates Sky Sports News knew Chelsea were interested in were Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham head coach Marco Silva. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Como’s Cesc Fabregas and ex-Flamengo boss Felipe Luis were other names being considered.

But the Blues have moved to secure a manager who won the Champions League twice as a player as well as leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season in his first campaign as a coach in 2023/24.

Chelsea were waiting for the FA Cup final to be out of the way before making an official announcement, which could come as soon as Monday, 18th May, 2026.