Why Xabi Alonso will thrive as Chelsea Head Coach

His flexibility and high level coaching skills has earned him a remarkable profile as a manager. Xabi Alonso has built a remarkably fast-rising managerial career since retiring as a player, gaining attention for his tactical intelligence and success at a young age.

Early Coaching Steps

After retiring in 2017, Alonso began in youth development:

• Real Madrid Juvenil A (2018–2019)
  He coached Real Madrid’s U-14 side, focusing on player development and implementing structured, possession-based football.

Breakthrough at Real Sociedad B

• Real Sociedad B (2019–2022)
  This was his first senior managerial role.

  • Achieved promotion to the Segunda División in 2021 (a major milestone for a reserve team).

  • Known for disciplined tactics, pressing structure, and developing young players.

Bayer Leverkusen Success

• Bayer Leverkusen (2022–present)
  Alonso took over in October 2022 when the club was near the relegation zone in the Bundesliga.
  His impact was immediate and dramatic:

  • Guided the team to European qualification in his first season.

  • In the 2023–24 season, led Leverkusen to:

    • Their first-ever Bundesliga title

    • An unbeaten domestic league campaign (historic achievement)

    • Strong runs in domestic and European competitions

Tactical Identity

Alonso is widely praised for:

• Flexible formations (often 3-4-3 or 3-2-5 in possession)

• Emphasis on positional play and buildup from the back

• Intelligent pressing systems

• Ability to adapt tactics to opponent strengths

Reputation & Future

Due to his success, Alonso has been linked with elite clubs like:

• Real Madrid

• Liverpool

• Bayern Munich

He’s considered one of the most promising young managers in world football, often compared to coaches like Pep Guardiola for his tactical sophistication.

FA Cup Match Highlights: Chelsea v Leeds United

 Watch the highlights as Chelsea and Leeds United met in the second semi-final of the 2025-26 Emirates FA Cup. The Blues were bidding to reach a 17th FA Cup Final, while Leeds had their eyes on a spot in the final two for the first time since 1987. After a scrappy opening 20 minutes, Pedro Neto’s cross from the right wing was met by the head of Chelsea captain Enzo Fernandez, who guided the ball behind Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri for the opening goal of the match. With Chelsea on the front foot beyond the break, Robert Sanchez proved to be essential for the Blues, making a series of crucial stops to deny Joe Rodon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin an equaliser. Daniel Farke’s side continued pushing their opponents, but after eight minutes of additional time, could not find a response to Chelsea, who set up a meeting with Manchester City in the final as a result.

"We still have up to 5 Finals to play" Trevoh Chalobah

 With only five games remaining in our season, Trevoh Chalobah believes each match will be crucial as the Blues look to build momentum ahead of our FA Cup final and the Premier League run-in.

It was a performance built on grit, determination and hard work as Enzo Fernandez headed Chelsea to a 1-0 win at Wembley over Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final, with Trev playing a vital role in keeping a clean sheet.

Making nine clearances, eight headed clearances, alongside plenty of tackles, it was a solid and combative individual display from Trev, with the centre-half highlighting the importance of experience in crunch moments like yesterday.

‘It's just hunger, determination, and wanting to win,’ Trev explained. ‘It’s wanting to win headers, those little things, that's what's needed. And when we do that, our quality shows.

‘When obviously things aren't going your way, and results don't go our way, I think that's what we can hold on to because we've shown it during parts of this season. It was the same conversation in the semi-final – we had to show our mentality, our winning habit, and our winning spirit.’

That winning spirit is something Trev recognises as crucial to the fabric of Chelsea Football Club, and booking our place in the showpiece event against Manchester City in May takes us a step closer to continuing to embody just that.

He continued: ‘It’s another final for us. Last year we were in finals [UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup] and the year before too [with the Carabao Cup]. So, we have that mentality, and it’s good that we showed that. We all knew what the goal was: to win no matter what.

‘For us, it's just focusing on what we have. There are another five finals ahead: four in the Premier League and then, obviously, here [at Wembley] in the FA Cup. We have to go into them with the quality and hunger that we know we can show.’

The 26-year-old recognises that the past few weeks have been tough, but Sunday’s display showed plenty of promise for what's to come.

‘When you don't win games, it's hard to get that determination back,’ Chalobah reflected. ‘For us, it's just about resetting and getting our standards back. As I said, it's still the same players we had at the start of the season when we were flying.

It's not like we lose our abilities overnight. It's just obviously resetting and getting that winning feeling and that mentality back. For us, we just have to block out all the noise and trust in ourselves, speak between ourselves, communicate and trust in our abilities.

‘That's what we need to do from now until the end of the season. As I said, whether you do badly or do well, there's always going to be people who talk. It’s important we just focus on what we have in front of us.’

Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has delivered a definitive blow to Chelsea’s search for a new manager

Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has delivered a definitive blow to Chelsea’s search for a new manager by ruling himself out of the running for the Stamford Bridge vacancy. The Italian tactician is currently on the verge of securing the league title in Portugal and has no intention of abandoning his project at the Estadio do Dragao.

The Blues are looking for a new boss following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, and Farioli is reportedly one of the names on their shortlist. Chelsea’s sporting directors have been evaluating several high-profile candidates to lead the squad next season. Chelsea’s interest in the former OGC Nice boss is unsurprising given his rapid rise through the European coaching ranks. The Italian tactician gained international recognition for transforming Nice into a defensive powerhouse in Ligue 1 and later revitalising Ajax, where he successfully implemented a well-structured game model that restored the Dutch club to title-contending status.

Farioli has officially distanced himself from the vacant managerial position at Chelsea, insisting that his immediate future remains in Portugal. The former Ajax coach has seen his reputation soar again since taking over at Porto last July, boasting a remarkable 74 per cent win rate during his tenure so far. Speaking after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Estrela da Amadora on Sunday, Farioli addressed the speculation surrounding interest from the Premier League giants. "I am the coach of Porto and I am really happy to be here," he stated.

When pressed on whether he could promise the Porto supporters that he would remain in his post even if a lucrative offer arrived from Stamford Bridge, Farioli did not hesitate. The coach was insistent in his reply to the fans, simply stating: "Yeah, absolutely."

While the hunt for a long-term successor for Rosenior continues, interim boss Calum McFarlane has managed to steady the ship. McFarlane led the team to a significant victory on Sunday, where an Enzo Fernandez goal secured a 1-0 win over Leeds United at Wembley, booking Chelsea's place in the FA Cup final. Despite the positive result on the pitch, the pressure remains on the club's owners to identify a permanent leader who can implement a long-term vision.

Chelsea have stepped up their search for a new head coach by reportedly making contact with the representatives of outgoing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola

Chelsea have stepped up their search for a new head coach by reportedly making contact with the representatives of outgoing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. The Spaniard, who has earned rave reviews for his work on the south coast, has emerged as a serious contender to fill the Stamford Bridge hot seat following the departure of Liam Rosenior.

The Blues have made their first move by making initial contact with the representatives of Iraola, according to Football London. The Spaniard has emerged as a key figure of interest for the Chelsea board as they look to move on from the short-lived tenure of Rosenior, which lasted less than four months before his dismissal last week.

While the club is currently under the temporary guidance of interim head coach Calum McFarlane, the heavy lifting is being done by a five-strong group of sporting directors. They have been tasked with identifying a leader for BlueCo’s long-term project, and Iraola's availability at the end of the season makes him an attractive proposition for the west London hierarchy.

Despite the reported contact, Iraola is remaining professional as he prepares to see out his final weeks with the Cherries. When questioned about the prospect of taking the Stamford Bridge hot seat, the 43-year-old was quick to shut down speculation. “No, I think I said it when I announced I was not continuing here, for me, now, it’s about Bournemouth,” he recently stated.

His refusal to engage in talk about his future is a sign of respect for his current employers. Iraola added: “[This] past week, you were asking me about other clubs. I don’t know exactly which ones, but also, as a sign of respect for Bournemouth, I cannot talk right now about my future because it’s not what worries the Bournemouth supporters.”

While Iraola is a primary target, Chelsea's sporting directors are casting a wide net to ensure they find the perfect tactical fit. Other names such as Cesc Fabregas and Marco Silva have been linked with the vacancy. However, one name they can cross off the list is Francesco Farioli, who has enjoyed a stellar run with Porto and is on the verge of a league title in Portugal.

The Italian tactician has completely ruled himself out of the running for the Stamford Bridge job. When asked if he would remain at Porto even if Chelsea came calling, Farioli was emphatic in his response, simply telling supporters: "Yeah, absolutely."

Despite the ongoing talks with Iraola's camp, Chelsea do not intend to announce a new manager until the current campaign has concluded. The interim management of McFarlane has provided some breathing space, particularly after he successfully guided the team to the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Leeds United at Wembley.

Calum McFarlane on ‘winner’ and ‘fighter’ Enzo Fernandez

Calum McFarlane praised match-winner Enzo Fernandez’s all-round performance against Leeds United, highlighting the Argentine's habit of producing decisive contributions in big matches for Chelsea, and explained why he made the tough choice to start Tosin Adarabioyo ahead of Jorrel Hato at Wembley.

It was Fernandez who led the Blues out as captain in Reece James’ absence for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final, and it was also the midfielder who headed home the only goal of the game to book our place in the final.

Not for the first time, Enzo put in an impressive performance in a high-profile game, linking our attack with the midfield in an advanced role, ahead of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in the deeper central positions

Our No.8 netted his 13th goal of the season in all competitions – second only to Joao Pedro for Chelsea – as he continued to demonstrate what a dangerous presence he can be in the opposition box.

‘It's something we rely on a lot, that's why he's changed position a lot over the last few years,’ McFarlane reflected.

‘He's played deeper, he's played as a 10, he's moved about, but I think he's such a threat in the box that the higher up you play him – and he can drop down and he can drift – but the higher up you play him, he can really cause opponents problems in that left half-space and attacking the back stick.’

That was exactly what happened at Wembley on Sunday, as he drove into space to get between the defenders with a late run, perfectly timed to meet Neto’s delivery.

It is something we have seen him do in a Chelsea shirt on a number of occasions – including when McFarlane was previously sat in the dugout away at Manchester City in January – even if our interim head coach was quick to point out that Fernandez brings more than goals to the team.

‘I said to him at the end: "You like scoring at the back post for me!" and he just laughed,’ Calum added.

‘He does that really well; he's done it all year. It's one of his biggest attributes that when you attack down the right, the timing of his runs, his ability to get good distance and height on his jump, and his heading technique is really good.

‘He's a winner – he's got so much talent, he's got so much fire. He's massive for this group and the best thing about Enzo is that he can do a bit of everything, but when it gets tough, you see the fight in him.

‘You see him driving the group on, you see him making tackles, you see him fighting for every loose ball. So he was exceptional and deserved his man of the match award.’

McFarlane then discussed his defensive line against Leeds, highlighting the important role of Tosin in countering the Yorkshire side’s aerial threat, after he got the nod over Hato to partner Trevoh Chalobah at the back.

‘It was one of the most difficult decisions in the preparation for this game, because Jorrel Hato has been probably our best player over the last five or six games.

‘But I decided to go with Tosin, mainly down to the Dominic Calvert-Lewin threat, and Tosin probably being the best match-up to defend that. Also set pieces are a massive part of their game.

‘Tosin's a great leader, a great character, but I fully trust Jorrel and Jorrel could have played in this game, as could Wesley Fofana. So you make decisions as a manager and you hope you get them right, and I thought Tosin was exceptional.’

Bayern Munich have reached a definitive decision regarding the future of Nicolas Jackson

 Bayern Munich have reached a definitive decision regarding the future of Nicolas Jackson following his season-long loan from Chelsea. Despite the Senegal international establishing himself as a reliable deputy to Harry Kane, the German giants are set to pass on the opportunity to make the move permanent this summer.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed that the club does not intend to trigger the purchase option for Jackson. Speaking to ZDF-Sportstudio, Eberl revealed that the current plan is for the striker to return to Stamford Bridge once the campaign concludes. It appears the Bavarian hierarchy is currently not pursuing a second loan deal either, marking a clear end to his time at the Allianz Arena.

The decision comes despite Jackson's productive output in a secondary role. The 24-year-old moved to Germany last summer following a complex transfer saga and was tasked with providing cover for star man Harry Kane. While he has performed admirably when called upon, the financial package required to secure him on a long-term basis has proven to be a stumbling block for the Bayern board.

Statistically, Jackson has more than held his own during his stint in the Bundesliga. In 29 competitive appearances, the forward has racked up 10 goals and four assists. His recent form has been particularly eye-catching, with four goals coming in his last five league outings. He proved his worth again this past weekend, scoring the goal that sparked a furious comeback in Bayern's 4-3 victory over Mainz 05.

While manager Vincent Kompany is said to be a fan of the player's work rate and professionalism, the board’s decision prioritises long-term financial strategy. The striker’s ability to impact games from the bench helped Bayern secure another league title and reach the DFB-Pokal final, but it hasn't been enough to convince the decision-makers to commit to a permanent €65 million (£56m/$76m) investment.

As Jackson prepares to head back to London, he returns to a club in a state of significant flux. Chelsea recently made the bold move to sack head coach Liam Rosenior after a dismal run of form. With Rosenior paying the ultimate price for a historically bad run of results, it remains to be seen where Jackson fits into the plans of the next permanent manager. The striker's contract with Chelsea runs until June 2033, and his productive stint in Germany is likely to have piqued the interest of several other European clubs if he is not reintegrated into the Blues' first team.

Chelsea must weigh up whether to integrate a player who has gained valuable experience at the highest level with Bayern, or capitalize on his 10-goal season to command a significant transfer fee. For now, Jackson remains focused on finishing the season strongly as Bayern pursue a treble.

Source: Goal

Highlights: João Pedro vs Leeds United

 

Enzo Fernández's goal was enough to see ChelseaFC through to the #EmiratesFACup Final 💪

Chelsea legend Joe Cole has lavished praise on Enzo Fernandez, labelling the midfielder a "warrior" following his match-winning performance in the FA Cup semi-final tie against Leeds. The Argentine found the net to secure the Blues a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Wembley, silencing critics after a turbulent period for the club.

Fernandez proved to be the difference-maker for Chelsea at Wembley, heading home a cross from Pedro Neto in the 23rd minute to send the Blues into their 17th FA Cup final.

The goal capped off a resilient display from the Argentina international, who has faced intense scrutiny recently following public comments regarding the departure of former manager Enzo Maresca and his interest in a potential move to Real Madrid.

Despite the off-field noise, Fernandez delivered a dominant performance in the heart of the midfield. "That man I thought was outstanding. There were a lot of question marks on him with his comments made, but when he steps onto the pitch he’s a fighter and he’s a warrior," Cole told TNT Sports after the match.

Calum McFarlane responds to claims Chelsea stars got Liam Rosenior the sack

 Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane insisted his players proved to their army of critics that they have character after beating Leeds United to set up an FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.

McFarlane, 38, replaced the sacked Liam Rosenior on Wednesday after the Blues had suffered five successive league losses without scoring for the first time since 1912. That particular performance at the Amex Stadium led to accusations that the changing room was not playing for Rosenior.

Yet Enzo Fernandez, wearing the captain's armband against Leeds, headed home the game's only goal to ensure a return to Wembley next month in what could save Chelsea's otherwise substandard season.

'I thought our character, our fight and our drive was brilliant,' McFarlane said. 

'We speak tactically a lot but tactics go out at the window at times and I thought the fight, winning second balls, headers, defending set-pieces – the character of the group was exceptional.

'That's been questioned a lot. And rightly so at times, maybe, but that is us at our best and we have to show that level as often as we can. This group is massively capable of that.'

McFarlane also described this victory as a 'dream', given he does not yet hold an UEFA Pro Licence and was managing only his third-ever senior match. He previously acted as Chelsea's interim for two games in January - a draw with City and a defeat at Fulham - when he temporarily bridged the gap between Enzo Maresca leaving and Rosenior arriving.

Expanding on his players being told they lacked character – including the accusations that they earned Rosenior the sack after only 106 days in charge - McFarlane continued: 'I wouldn't question their character. Their character has been questioned because of results.

'We're playing top teams, you get into a rut, momentum is so important. We've seen it with the best team in the world. People are too reactive to the result.

'That group has got massive character. You don't beat PSG in the Club World Cup, Barcelona in the Champions League, and loads of other games… the character shouldn't be questioned. I understand why, but there's a lot of mentality, winners in that changing room. I'm really happy we could show that today.'

McFARLANE & SANCHEZ react post-FA Cup SF | Chelsea 1-0 Leeds Utd | FA Cup 2025/26

 Calum McFarlane and Robert Sanchez reflect after Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup win against Leeds United at Wembley. This win takes the Blues into the FA Cup final.

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane on the run-in and the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City.

 “The bigger the game, the tougher the opponent and the circumstances, the more they seem to raise their level.” 🤝

“The bigger the game, the tougher the opponent and the circumstances, the more they seem to raise their level.” 🤝

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane on the run-in and the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City.

📺 Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/yDYPBWg4m1

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 26, 2026

Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez react after the win for Chelsea.

 “We had a tough week, now this is a good win for us to move forward.” 🤝

“We had a tough week, now this is a good win for us to move forward.” 🤝

Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez react after the win for Chelsea.

📺 Watch on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/GlJaBtVmMf

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 26, 2026

Robert Sanchez reacts after Chelsea book their place in the FA Cup final by beating Leeds United.

 “They deserve moments like this.” 🤝

Robert Sanchez reacts after Chelsea book their place in the FA Cup final by beating Leeds United.

“They deserve moments like this.” 🤝

Robert Sanchez reacts after Chelsea book their place in the FA Cup final by beating Leeds United.

📺 Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/hsugwHtf8p

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 26, 2026

Sanchez reflect on a ‘massive’ win and the chance of ending the season with silverware

 Robert Sanchez labelled Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds as ‘massive’, with the Blues goalkeeper hopeful that we can end the season having lifted a trophy at Wembley.

It was a determined display on the pitch from the Blues under the famous arch, and Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header was the difference between the sides. Rob also helped keep Leeds at bay with a couple of vital saves - one with his right boot and the other with his right glove.

And after securing a place at the showpiece event on May 16, where we’ll meet Manchester City for the first time in an FA Cup final, Sanchez believes this result and performance can be a platform for the Blues to build upon with five huge games remaining in the season.

‘Today was massive,’ the goalkeeper said. ‘After a tough season with a lot of changes, if we can go into the summer with a trophy, it will be amazing. We need to keep going for the next few weeks, and it will give us a positive boost.

‘I think we’ve had a couple of tough weeks, but the boys have reacted incredibly in training. Obviously, you can see it on the pitch, the reaction from the boys, how everyone was running for the ball, fighting for each other.

‘We got the win and the way we were thinking before the game is that it’s a chance to get to another final, and we wanted to do that.’

As our shot-stopper, the 28-year-old inevitably pointed to the importance of our clean sheet. But he also highlighted the work of our defenders in making his job easier.

‘A clean sheet and a win – it’s massive,’ he continued. ‘There were a couple of good saves, but it doesn’t come from just me. There were a couple of blocks from our defenders; they kept heading the ball away and fighting for each other, as I said. We scored the early goal, and we defended well.

‘I remember from the start of the season we kept nine or ten clean sheets in 15 games, so I think it’s good to get back into a positive mood with another clean sheet. Now we have five games to go, and we’ll do our best.’

After a disappointing defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League midweek, Sanchez was pleased to be able to give the supporters a moment to remember too.

‘We reacted very well,’ he said. ‘We know that now it’s on us to perform well, to try to get to a final and win a final. If we perform like today, we know it’s possible to do all that. The supporters were brilliant today.’