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All the news on Xabi Alonso
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Head coach at Chelsea
In the 2026/27 season, Xabi Alonso serves as head coach of Chelsea.
Career matches managed and points per game
Xabi Alonso has managed 284 official matches as head coach in his career, averaging 1.92 points per game.
Xabi Alonso career and stats
Real Madrid CF Calcio Base
Career
FC Bayern Munich
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
Liverpool F.C.
SD Eibar
Antiguoko
Frequently asked questions about Xabi Alonso
Which teams has Xabi Alonso managed in his career?
Xabi Alonso is currently the head coach of Chelsea and has managed 4 teams during his career (Chelsea FC, Real Madrid, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Real Madrid CF Calcio Base), totaling 186 official matches in charge.
How tall is Xabi Alonso, what is his preferred foot and shirt number?
Xabi Alonso is 183 cm tall. He plays as a Allenatore.
How old is Xabi Alonso, when was he born and where is he from?
Xabi Alonso is 44 years old (born on November 25, 1981 in Tolosa). He represents Spagna.
What is Xabi Alonso's market value and when does his contract expire?
His contract with Chelsea runs until June 30, 2030.
What trophies and honours has Xabi Alonso won in his career?
During his career Xabi Alonso has won: Lan Onari (2010), Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit (2011).
The story of Xabi Alonso
Xabier Alonso Olano (Basque: [ˈʃaβi aˈlons̺o oˈlano], Spanish: [ˈʃaβj aˈlonso oˈlano]; born 25 November 1981) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Premier League club Chelsea. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, he was known for his passing range and long-distance shooting.
Alonso is also currently considered to be one of the best young managers in the world.
Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home province Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar, he was appointed as captain of Real Sociedad and finished as runners-up in La Liga in the 2002–03 season. He moved to Liverpool in 2004 for £10.5 million and won the UEFA Champions League in his first season, scoring in the final. He later won the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. Alonso moved to Real Madrid in 2009 in a deal worth £30 million and won La Liga, two Copa del Rey titles, and another UEFA Champions League. He joined Bayern Munich in 2014 and won three Bundesliga titles, including a domestic double in his second season, and retired in 2017.
Alonso made his international debut for Spain in April 2003 and went on to win the European Championship twice in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup. He also represented Spain at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. On 23 June 2012, Alonso won his 100th cap for Spain in the quarter-final of Euro 2012 against France, where he scored both goals in a 2–0 victory. Alonso retired from international football after the 2014 World Cup. His 114 appearances make him the eighth-most capped player in Spain's history.
Alonso coached Real Madrid's U14 team before being appointed as manager of Real Sociedad B in 2019, where he won promotion to the Segunda División in his second season. Alonso was named head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in 2022 and completed an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double in 2024, winning the club's first ever Bundesliga title and first DFB-Pokal since 1993. After two-and-a-half years with the German side, Alonso was appointed as the new head coach of his former club Real Madrid in June 2025, but left the club seven months later by mutual consent. Four months after leaving Real Madrid, Alonso agreed to take over as manager of Chelsea starting in July 2026.
Early life
Alonso was born in the small town of Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, into a family known for its footballing prowess. His father, Periko Alonso, won La Liga twice in successive seasons with Real Sociedad and a third time after he joined Barcelona. He also featured in the national team, winning 21 caps over the course of his career.
Alonso lived in the city of Barcelona for the first six years of his life and moved to San Sebastián thereafter. It was here that his passion for football began as he whiled away his childhood played at Playa de la Concha (Shell Beach). On the Basque sands, Alonso befriended a fellow resident of Calle Matia, Mikel Arteta, and the two would battle each other in exhibitions of technical ability. He was immersed in football and his father would often bring him and his older brother, Mikel, to Sabadell's training ground to practise together. Alonso was influenced by his father's playing, taking more pleasure in passing the ball well than shooting at goal. At an early age, he decided to play as a defensive midfielder, a role which helped him learn how to distribute the ball well. This talent would later prove to be an integral part of his club and international career.
Alonso and Arteta were ambitious and dreamed of playing alongside each other for Real Sociedad when they were older. Though they attended different schools, the two young players joined forces at the local youth side Antiguoko, playing games at the weekend. Their performances attracted the attention of scouts from top Spanish sides and the young Donostiarras separated ways, ending nine years of friendly rivalry, as Alonso went to Real Sociedad and Arteta moved to Catalan giant Barcelona. Alonso's move to Real Sociedad, however, was not a companionless one, as his older brother Mikel, who had also become an adept player, joined the club together with him.
Xabi Alonso on FootNews
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