Chelsea reach agreement to appoint Xabi Alonso as head coach

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Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Xabi Alonso for the Spaniard to become the club's next head coach.

The Blues are closing in on officially replacing Liam Rosenior after his unceremonious sacking in April, following a dire run of results in the Premier League and Champions League.

Calum McFarlane was placed in interim charge of the side for the second time this season, but he never stood a realistic chance of pulling a Michael Carrick and convincing the hierarchy that he should be given the job.

Instead, Chelsea have been doing their homework on a number of external options, and Alonso has emerged as the leading contender in recent days. According to various reliable sources, including David Ornstein of The Athletic, an agreement is now in place.

Despite reports that he "dreams" of replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool, Alonso has accepted the Chelsea job and will take charge of the team next season. Ornstein reports that the 44-year-old was always the Blues' top target throughout their coaching search.

Chelsea to appoint Alonso

Alonso visited London last week to discuss the role with Chelsea, and he has now greenlit his appointment on what is expected to be a four-year contract. An official announcement is imminent.

The timing of the news is deliberate, with Chelsea having just lost the FA Cup final to Man City, which means that the Blues will finish the season with no silverware (unless the Club World Cup is counted as having taken place this term).

Alonso's arrival will generate plenty of excitement in the fanbase, despite his links to Liverpool and his disappointing spell at Real Madrid, which saw him sacked in January after a dressing room revolt.

The former Bayer Leverkusen boss will have surely learned from his chastening experience in Spain and will be well prepared for Chelsea, who have a similarly difficult, albeit less powerful, dressing room.

Recent reports have suggested that Chelsea's players have given their blessing to Alonso's appointment, so you would hope that the legendary former midfielder will avoid a repeat of his Real Madrid debacle.

Alonso has shown that he can work with young players and create a successful system. His hire has the potential to be a game-changer for Chelsea and the entire BlueCo project.