Xabi Alonso stood at the podium on July 13 for his first press conference as Chelsea manager and said exactly what you’d expect a new boss to say. He wants hunger. He wants passion. He called the Premier League “the most competitive in the world.”
From Leverkusen legend to Stamford Bridge rebuild
Alonso signed a four-year contract with Chelsea on May 17, 2026, with his official duties beginning July 1. He inherits a club coming off a 10th-place Premier League finish.
He addressed his Liverpool ties directly, noting that “timings” influenced his decision.
He described the role as a “privilege.”
