Chelsea are closing in on the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new head coach, with the Spanish tactician reportedly agreeing to a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The move comes after the dismissal of Liam Rosenior last month, as the London club continue their search for stability and long-term direction following another turbulent campaign.

According to BBC Sport, Chelsea held discussions with several high-profile candidates, including Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva. However, it was Xabi Alonso who quickly emerged as the club’s preferred choice.

The Blues intentionally kept negotiations away from the spotlight in the build-up to the FA Cup final against Manchester City, aiming to avoid unnecessary distractions during a crucial moment of the season.

Alonso had previously been linked with the managerial position at Liverpool amid growing pressure on Arne Slot, but the Merseyside club ultimately decided to continue with the Dutch coach.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid earlier this year. Before that, he earned widespread praise for guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a historic Bundesliga title, transforming the German side into one of Europe’s most exciting teams.