Official: Xabi Alonso Returns to the Premier League

It's official! Xabi Alonso has been named the new Chelsea manager. The club announced the appointment this Sunday morning, revealing that the Spaniard has signed a four-year contract.

English media had already reported on Saturday that a deal was imminent, and it wasn't long before the official confirmation arrived. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss thus makes his return to the Premier League, where he previously played for Liverpool.

"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football, and I am immensely proud to become the manager of this great club. From my conversations with the ownership group and the sporting director, it's clear we share the same ambition," he began, speaking to the club's official channels.

"We want to build a team capable of consistently competing at the highest level and challenging for trophies. There's great talent in the squad and immense potential at this football club, and it will be a great honour for me to lead it. Now, the focus is on hard work, building the right culture, and winning trophies," he concluded.