Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager on four-year contract

“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and being the manager of this great club fills me with great pride,” Alonso said.

“From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leaders, it is clear that we share the same passion. We want to build a team that can consistently compete at the highest level and challenge for trophies.”

“There is great talent and great potential in the team at this football club and it will be a great honor for me to lead it. The focus now is on working hard, creating the right culture and winning trophies.”

Alonso spent five years in the Premier League with Liverpool, helping them win the Champions League in 2005, and also played for Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

He also played 114 times for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship twice.