Xabi Alonso set to be named Chelsea coach after reportedly arriving at agreement in principle

Former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is set to be named Chelsea's next permanent head coach after arriving at an agreement in principle on a four-year deal on Saturday, with a final announcement expected soon. News of the Spaniard's appointment at Stamford Bridge emerged following Chelsea's 0-1 defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup final at London's Wembley Stadium on the same day.

Chelsea have been on the hunt for a new manager ever since they sacked Liam Rosenior from the role less than four months after the former Hull City defender and manager signed a six-year contract, with U-21 coach Calum McFarlane taking over on an interim basis.

Official announcement expected on Monday

Besides Alonso, the club's management also had their sights set on Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Fulham's Marco Silva and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, according to the BBC.

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Alonso, however, was Chelsea's top pick for the role, and Saturday's agreement between the two parties marks a successful end to club's hunt for Rosenior's successor. A formal announcement is expected to be made as soon as Monday, reported Sky Sports.

Chelsea, incidentally, wasn't the only Premier League club Alonso was linked to with the former Spain midfielder also seen as a potential replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool, another leading club he had spent five years of his senior playing career in. Slot, however, has indicated that he will be staying at Anfield for now.

The 44-year-old, who had led Bayer Leverkusen to a historic Bundesliga title in 2024, has been out of work ever since he was sacked by Real Madrid, the club he had spent five years at as a player, in January after just seven months in charge.

Chelsea set to end season on underwhelming note

Chelsea, meanwhile, have gone through a decline since they won the inaugural Fifa Club World Cup last year. The last few months have been particularly turbulent for the Blues, with the club's management sacking two permanent coaches – Enzo Maresca and Rosenior – in the span of four months.

The six-time English top-flight champions currently are ninth on the Premier League table with six defeats and a draw in their last seven outings, and missed out on the opportunity to qualify for the UEFA Europa Cup next season with their FA Cup final defeat at the hands of City on Saturday.