Chelsea has officially named Xabi Alonso as their new manager, previously at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. He signed a four-year deal, set to begin on July 1, 2026. However, his tenure at the Bernabéu lasted just 233 days, raising questions about whether Chelsea is making a risky bet.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden and Alex Kirkland analyze Alonso’s short-lived Madrid experience, the reasons behind Chelsea’s decision to hire him after parting ways with Liam Rosenior last month, and what he might offer to the Premier League.
Challenges at Real Madrid
Player Conflicts
The primary reason for Alonso’s dismissal at the Bernabéu seemed to be his deteriorating relationships with key players during his seven-month tenure. As reported by ESPN in January, star players such as Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde were not fully on board with his coaching style.
Issues arose early in Alonso’s reign when Vinicius felt sidelined by the coach’s tactical choices, including a potential shift to an unfamiliar position on the pitch. Tensions escalated further when Vinicius clashed with Alonso during the October Clásico against Barcelona, leading to a visible fallout that impacted negotiations over Vinicius’s contract renewal, expiring in 2027.
Valverde also expressed discontent over being played out of position, while Bellingham struggled with Alonso’s tactical directives that limited his movement.
Alonso’s management of star players led to skepticism from the club’s executives regarding his suitability for the role. Concerns were voiced by president Florentino Pérez about Alonso’s lack of experience, although he was supported by director general José Ángel Sánchez.
As problems arose, including conflicts like the Vinicius substitution, Alonso’s decisions faced scrutiny, further eroding his support from the club hierarchy. It became evident that doubts about his strategies compounded the challenges he faced, especially as the team’s performance declined.
When Alonso was finally dismissed in January, many Madrid executives regretted not making the decision sooner, recognizing that the situation had become untenable.
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Hofman discusses Vinícius Júnior’s changing status at Real Madrid under Alonso.
Gustavo Hofman from ESPN Brasil gives insight into the factors leading to Vinícius Júnior’s outburst and his strained relationship with Xabi Alonso post-El Clásico.
Disappointments in Key Matches
By January, Madrid had already faced multiple setbacks, jeopardizing the project’s credibility. A significant loss came during the summer when they were soundly defeated 4-0 by PSG in the Club World Cup semifinals.
Alonso had been hesitant to take on the role before the tournament, but a shift in management forced him into a challenging position without the benefit of a proper pre-season.
Although Madrid started the 2025-26 season strongly, they soon faced a critical defeat to Atlético Madrid (5-2), further eroding confidence in Alonso’s leadership. Two losses in the Champions League followed, leading the club to reconsider his position seriously.
Characteristically, Madrid lacks patience, and faith in Alonso and his methods waned rapidly.
Positives During the Tenure?
It would be overly simplistic to label Alonso’s time at Madrid as a complete failure. During the Club World Cup and the first part of the LaLiga season, there were glimpses of a team transitioning to a new identity, albeit with mixed results on the pitch.
A highlight was Madrid’s victory over Barcelona in El Clásico on October 26, a welcome change after previous heavy defeats to their rivals. Unfortunately, this win would also mark the beginning of the deterioration in Alonso’s relationship with players like Vinicius.
Alonso’s struggles can be partly attributed to the club’s culture and the challenges of transitioning from a more relaxed management style under Ancelotti. President Pérez acknowledged this, reflecting on the past by stating he has previously made swift changes when necessary.
Nonetheless, Alonso faced legitimate questions concerning his adaptability and the application of his successful tactics from Leverkusen to Madrid’s distinct environment.
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Slot humorously addresses whether Alonso reached out to him about the Liverpool job.
Arne Slot laughs off a question on whether he’s had any conversations with Xabi Alonso since his departure from Real Madrid.
What Lies Ahead at Chelsea
Why Alonso, and Why Now?
A year ago, Alonso was leaving Bayer Leverkusen, having established himself as one of the most promising coaches in Europe. Real Madrid viewed him as a potential managerial star, boasting a celebrated playing career and a successful stint at Leverkusen, where he clinched both the league and cup titles in 2023-24.
Although his brief Madrid tenure has dented his reputation, Chelsea is optimistic about his potential as a top manager.
Chelsea’s management considered several candidates, including Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva, before settling on Alonso as the successor to Rosenior, who was sacked after only 106 days.
After assessing past hiring decisions, Chelsea’s hierarchy learned the importance of appointing an experienced coach capable of guiding their young squad toward realizing its potential.
Alonso, while lacking extensive experience at 44, was brought in amid concerns that Liverpool might also pursue him if they needed to replace Arne Slot. Chelsea is eager to provide him with the influence needed for summer transfers, especially given the departures witnessed recently.
What Guarantees Has Alonso Received?
Alonso has expressed a desire for Chelsea to refine their recruitment strategy, focusing on acquiring more established players alongside emerging talents, considering past expenditure exceeding £2 billion without significant outcomes.
Chelsea’s management understands the need to blend experienced players into a talented, albeit young, roster and has assured Alonso that his input regarding team management and development will carry more weight than prior coaches.
Unlike previous managers, Alonso is reportedly aware that the recruitment strategy will evolve, aiming for improvements conducive to success. Having adapted to a structured environment at Leverkusen, he is familiar with the Chelsea model and ready to implement necessary adjustments.
While the recruitment process will still involve input from sporting directors and data analytics, Alonso is set to have more authority than his predecessors in decision-making.
What Tactical Approach Will He Adopt?
Alonso’s success at Leverkusen was largely based on a 3-4-3 formation, a style he may replicate at Chelsea, although recent attempts at implementing similar systems elsewhere in the Premier League have encountered difficulties.
The effectiveness of the wing-backs is crucial in this system, with players like Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo playing pivotal roles at Leverkusen. At Chelsea, Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella could excel in such roles, supported by Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo anchoring the midfield with Cole Palmer potentially sliding into a more advanced role.
After his time in Madrid, Alonso adopted a 4-2-3-1 system, which has been prevalent at Chelsea in recent years.
Alonso has the flexibility to choose systems according to his squad capacity, although the depth of the team could influence his strategies.
Will Alonso’s Appointment Retain Chelsea’s Key Players?
Currently, Chelsea sits ninth in the league with 49 points but aims for a chance at European competition next season. They could even qualify for the Champions League by finishing sixth if favorable outcomes occur in concluding matches.
However, if they fail to secure European football, uncertainties regarding the futures of key players like Fernandez, Palmer, and João Pedro — who is reportedly being eyed by Barcelona as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski — will arise.
Alonso’s hiring indicates Chelsea’s ambition, as his standing as a respected player and coach may help persuade top talents to remain and signals the club’s commitment to competing for significant titles.
Nevertheless, his downfall at Madrid partly stemmed from difficulties in managing high-profile talents and establishing a cohesive team environment; similar circumstances led to Rosenior’s dismissal, driven by player discord and results.
Unlike Rosenior, Alonso brings proven experience and is likely to garner immediate respect and authority among players at Chelsea, increasing his chances of maintaining squad unity this summer.
— Mark Ogden