
Alonso agrees to become next Chelsea boss
Xabi Alonso has officially agreed to be Chelsea's next head coach on a four-year deal.
It certainly doesnât feel like the end of an era at Manchester City, since they keep on winning. Rather than as yet confirming any departure, Pep Guardiola instead just secured another trophy. His third personal FA Cup makes this a domestic cup double, that may yet become a second domestic treble.
City obviously need a lot to change in the title race but, as this 1-0 win over Chelsea showed, they keep on putting on the squeeze.
And if this was far from a final for the ages - thereâs an argument it was overshadowed by Mohammed Salahâs commentary on Liverpool - it was at least won by a goal for ages. Antoine Semenyoâs backheel was up there with any in the competitionâs history.
âBrilliant skill,â as Guardiola said.
Semenyo continues to show the value of that ÂŁ62.5m January purchase. Thereâs also a different type of value to the goal, since the forward made his debut in this competition for Newport County against Metropolitan Police FC all the way back in November 2018. He knows what it's all about.
From one side of the cup to another. Such expenditure and the way this was the 10th consecutive final involving one of these teams - if the first involving both - played into a flat build-up, to go with the backdrop of investigations into both clubs. While Chelsea admitted guilt, and still await the outcome of the FA case, City insist on their innocence.
It did evolve into a genuinely good final, though, that Chelsea might feel a little aggrieved about. Even Guardiola said he felt his team had been better in 2024 and 2025, two consecutive finals they lost. Chelsea arguably had the better of play, and had a few penalty shouts. Of those, Abdukodir Khusanovâs collision with Jorrel Hato looked the likeliest penalty, which Calum McFarlane certainly argued after the game.
âAnywhere else on the pitch, itâs a penalty.â
Antoine Semenyo's incredible goal won the FA Cup for Man City (AP)
Jorrel Hato has a penalty shout turned down by the referee (Getty)
The interim coach actually sought to play down a special personal moment of taking a team out at Wembley for the FA Cup final, insisting he was just concentrating on the task of âPep Guardiolaâs Manchester Cityâ.
Itâs hard not to link that to the reality that McFarlaneâs very presence there was the product of a strange turn of events, and the curious leadership of the club, so maybe didnât feel as much of a personal achievement.
As to how to feel about this Chelsea season? Well, it indicates a lot that McFarlane was asked about the potential consequences of not qualifying for Europe, but just responded âyouâre asking the interim coachâ.
Would the FA Cup have even âsavedâ the season? It would have offered some badly needed good feeling of course, but probably would have also opened debate about what it signified given this squadâs difficulties under Liam Rosenior.
On the whole, this has been a dismal season, that should continue to raise bigger questions about the strategy of the football leadership.
Xabi Alonso is close to being appointed as Chelseaâs next head coach but can he bring a renewed sense of direction to the club? (AP)
Pep Guardiola looks set to remain at Manchester City, at least for another year (Getty)
One change of direction does seem imminent. There has been considerable progress in talks with Xabi Alonso.
Salahâs comment - which came in the middle of this game - only adds an urgency to that given the escalating negativity around Arne Slot at Liverpool. Are they really not going to move? Are they really going to leave it without even talking to their former midfielder.
There was a time when Alonso had been considered a potential candidate to replace Guardiola, but now?
Well, aside from the fact the Basque is set to sign for Chelsea, thereâs a feeling that Guardiola is going nowhere. A lot of talk has turned. The mood music is that he will stay for another season. Guardiola of course evaded such talk after the game, but was keen to acknowledge the departing Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
They did have a special moment at the end, as they lifted the FA Cup - their 15th major trophy together with Guardiola - in front of the City fans.
John Stones and Bernardo Silva are leaving Manchester City at the end of the season having won a 15th major trophy together under Pep Guardiola (Reuters)
Guardiola looks to have built another Man City team that can challenge for trophies next season, will he stick around to find out? (Reuters)
If that would usually prompt discussion over the challenge of replacing them, the way City work is that theyâre already well on the way down that road. The team is visibly in good shape, and looks set for the medium-term future, leaving aside whatever the outcome of the Premier League case is.
You can see why Guardiola would want to stick around. There is clearly another title in this team, maybe one this season, and maybe a Champions League too.
Bernardo himself spoke about how they now have a âtaste for trophiesâ.
That was summed up by this cup final. City werenât at their best. They didnât play the more dominant football of late. And yet they found a way to win.
Letâs see what yet happens in the title race. They follow this with a very difficult game away to Bournemouth as soon as Tuesday. Itâs almost the last thing youâd want.
This does not, however, currently look like Guardiolaâs last stand in England.

Xabi Alonso has officially agreed to be Chelsea's next head coach on a four-year deal.

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