Chelsea are close to hiring Xabi Alonso, deal to be ratified after FA Cup final

Newcastle United were also monitoring his situation while Marseille tried to get him in February. Chelsea, however, appear to have moved decisively ahead of their rivals.

Despite his relatively short managerial career, Alonso’s record is hugely impressive. He won 24 of his 34 matches in Spain.

His work at Bayer Leverkusen brought him into the limelight.

Alonso guided the German side to their first-ever Bundesliga title and masterminded a remarkable unbeaten league campaign, winning 89 of his 140 matches in charge.

Chelsea’s owners will hope that pedigree finally translates into stability at Stamford Bridge after years of chaos in the dugout.

The Blues have changed managers repeatedly throughout their rebuild without ever truly finding the right fit besides Enzo Maresca.

If Alonso arrives, they must match it with smarter recruitment. Chelsea cannot afford another summer of expensive scattergun signings.

They finally appear close to getting the managerial appointment right, and now the players around him must also make sense.