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Saturday, 3 October 2026
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Saturday, 3 October 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Xabi Alonso

Also known as: Blues boss Alonso

Chelsea manager who has built a prolific attacking side but faces defensive vulnerabilities in the 2026/27 season.

2026-05-012026-10-03

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. The Standard

    … Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said his coaching philosophy was shaped by watching the City boss' Barcelona team, while new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso moved to Bayern in the final years of his playing career to gain the experience of working under Guardiola. …

    Pep Guardiola to step down as Manchester City manager
  3. The Standard

    … Former City captain Vincent Kompany is flourishing in charge of Bayern Munich while newly appointed Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso worked under him at Bayern. …

    Pep Guardiola: Catalan genius who changed football
  4. Citizen Digital

    … Former City captain Vincent Kompany is flourishing in charge of Bayern Munich while newly appointed Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso worked under him at Bayern. …

    Pep Guardiola: Catalan genius who changed football
  5. The Standard

    … Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said his coaching philosophy was shaped by watching the City boss's Barcelona team, while new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso moved to Bayern in the final years of his playing career to gain the experience of working under Guardiola. …

    Pep Guardiola to leave Man City at the end of the season - reports
  6. Citizen Digital

    Xabi Alonso appointed Chelsea manager on four-year deal By AFP May 17, 2026 08:00 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club's manager on Sunday on a four-ye …

    Xabi Alonso appointed Chelsea manager on four-year deal
  7. Citizen Digital

    … "If he comes back next year, I'll be very happy to see him back home." Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso in January but was unable to help Madrid salvage anything from a troubled campaign. …

    Arbeloa 'happy' if Mourinho back at Real Madrid next season
  8. Citizen Digital

    … A former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso had been linked as a potential successor to Slot. …

    Slot has 'every reason to believe' he will remain as Liverpool boss
  9. Citizen Digital

    … These players have shown that if they're at their best, they can beat anyone." Chelsea's search for a permanent replacement for Rosenior has seen them strongly linked with former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso. …

    McFarlane calls on Chelsea to save troubled season with FA Cup glory
  10. Citizen Digital

    … A former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso had been linked as a potential successor to Slot. …

    Slot has 'every reason to believe' he will remain as Liverpool boss
  11. Citizen Digital

    … Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January of a troubled season for Madrid, said he had accepted both players' apologies for the incident. …

    Tchouameni can play Clasico despite Valverde clash: Real Madrid's Arbeloa

Saturday 19 September

  1. Brentford beats Chelsea 3-0, halts Alonso's promising start

    Brentford defeated Chelsea 3-0 on Friday to expose the Blues' defensive problems, with goals from Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho. After a promising opening under Xabi Alonso, Chelsea have now picked up just one point from their last three league games.

    19 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Clearlake Capital takes full control of Chelsea after Boehly era

    Clearlake Capital, led by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, acquired the stakes of American billionaires Todd Boehly and Mark Walter to take full control of Chelsea. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the club's ambition was "very clear" following the ownership change.

    17 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Clearlake Capital assumes full control of Chelsea Football Club

    Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter have sold their stakes in the Premier League club to majority owner Clearlake Capital, which has now assumed full control. Clearlake previously held 62 percent of the club following its £2.5 billion purchase from Roman Abramovich in May 2022, with fellow investor Hansjorg Wyss remaining a stakeholder.

    17 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 13 September

  1. Chelsea draw with Hull after defensive lapses at Stamford Bridge

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he would welcome a "boring game" after Chelsea conceded twice to draw 2-2 with Hull City on Saturday. Chelsea have conceded nine goals in their four Premier League matches this season, with Alonso's side struggling defensively despite taking an early lead through Morgan Rogers.

    13 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Arsenal maintains perfect Premier League start with Sunderland win

    Arsenal won 2-0 over Sunderland to extend their unbeaten Premier League record, opening a three-point lead over Manchester City. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham all drew at home on the same day, with Hull remaining unbeaten in third place after drawing 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.

    13 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 12 September

  1. Chelsea must tighten defence despite strong scoring, Alonso says

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged his team's prolific attacking form — joint-top scorers in the Premier League with eight goals in three matches — but said they need to improve defensively after conceding seven goals in the same period.

    12 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 11 September

  1. Real Madrid manager seeks 'killer' Vinicius form against Rayo

    Real Madrid face Rayo with manager Mourinho seeking a sharper attacking performance from Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, who was at the centre of summer contract speculation amid rumours of an Arsenal move but remains a key player after scoring in Champions League finals in 2022 and 2024.

    11 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Rogers praises Alonso as Chelsea scores heavily in League Cup

    Morgan Rogers said Xabi Alonso has transformed Chelsea into an "exciting" force after their 6-3 win over Leeds in the League Cup third round. Chelsea have scored 16 goals in Alonso's first five matches in charge.

    10 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 6 September

  1. Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to end their unbeaten start

    Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in a London derby at the Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz equalizing Morgan Rogers' early goal and Martin Odegaard scoring the winner. The victory ended Chelsea's unbeaten run and demonstrated Arsenal's title credentials as they sit second in the league with three wins from three matches.

    6 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1, end rivals' unbeaten run

    Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 at home in a London Premier League derby on Sunday, with Kai Havertz equalising and Martin Odegaard scoring the winner after Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead. The victory reinforced Arsenal's title credentials as second-placed contenders and ended Chelsea's three-game winning streak under new manager Xabi Alonso.

    6 September 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 4 September

  1. Alonso urges Chelsea to move forward after Fernandez sale

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says the club must "move forward" after midfielder Enzo Fernandez's £125 million transfer to Manchester City. Chelsea's attempt to replace Fernandez with Monaco's Lamine Camara fell through when Monaco backed out before the transfer window closed.

    4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Man City agree £125m deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Fernandez

    Manchester City have agreed to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a £125 million deal that would equal the British transfer record. The Argentina international is expected to move to City on deadline day.

    1 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Chelsea boss Alonso says club still work in progress

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the team remains a work in progress after a 4-3 win against Brighton extended his perfect start to three successive wins across the Premier League and League Cup, cautioning that fine form does not mean all problems have been solved.

    30 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Chelsea beats Brighton 4-3, extends Alonso's perfect managerial start

    Chelsea won 4-3 against Brighton on Sunday to extend manager Xabi Alonso's perfect start, which now includes two successive Premier League wins and one League Cup victory. Romeo Lavia scored Chelsea's opening goal, with Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro also finding the net, while Cole Palmer and an own goal contributed to the high-scoring result.

    30 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 29 August

  1. Alonso questions Fernandez's Chelsea commitment amid Man City links

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he wants players who "feel a desire" to play for the club after leaving midfielder Enzo Fernandez out of Thursday's League Cup win over Luton. Fernandez has been linked with Manchester City but no club has met Chelsea's £120 million valuation.

    29 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 28 August

  1. Mourinho emphasizes team play over goal tallies for Real Madrid's Mbappe

    Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said he values 40 goals with titles and team effort over 60 goals scored individually, following Mbappe's hat-trick against Real Sociedad as the 2026/27 La Liga season gets underway.

    28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Welbeck scores debut goal as Chelsea beats Luton

    Danny Welbeck netted his first Chelsea goal as the Blues defeated third-tier Luton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to reach the League Cup third round.

    28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Kompany named German coach of year after Bayern dominance

    Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich's head coach, was named coach of the year in Germany on Sunday. Two years after joining from Burnley, Kompany has achieved domestic success while building Bayern into an attacking team and maintaining a likeable public image, with the club now targeting Champions League glory this season.

    27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Mbappé scores hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashes Real Sociedad 4-1

    Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick to help Real Madrid defeat Real Sociedad 4-1 in La Liga, with Vinicius Junior also scoring and Jude Bellingham providing two assists in Jose Mourinho's first home match as Madrid's coach.

    27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Morgan Rogers scores on Chelsea debut in 3-2 win

    Morgan Rogers marked his competitive debut for Chelsea with a goal in a 3-2 Premier League victory over Fulham on Monday, saying he has more to come after being substituted with about 10 minutes remaining.

    26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 23 August

  1. Joao Pedro extends Chelsea contract until 2032

    Brazilian striker Joao Pedro has signed a new contract with Chelsea keeping him at the club until 2032 with an option for two further years. The extension follows a strong debut season in which he scored 20 goals.

    23 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 21 August

  1. Premier League returns as Arsenal seeks second consecutive title

    The Premier League season begins with defending champions Arsenal facing newly promoted Coventry in the opening match at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta welcomes the pressure of being hunted by rivals as the club looks to win a second successive title.

    21 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Mourinho says Real Madrid star players can play together

    New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insisted his team's star players—Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham—could fit together, acknowledging that his predecessors struggled to balance attack and defence with the trio, though he noted the tactical challenge of accommodating all three.

    21 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  3. Arsenal begin title defense as Premier League season returns

    Arsenal, champions of the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, prepare to face Coventry in the season opener at Emirates Stadium. Manager Mikel Arteta said the team will embrace being "hunted" by rivals as they aim to cement their position as English football's dominant force.

    21 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Arteta targets best club status as Arsenal defend Premier League title

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has declared his intention to build the club into "the best club in the world" as the Premier League champions begin their defence against Coventry, with Manchester City's era potentially ending after Pep Guardiola's resignation.

    20 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Mourinho returns to Real Madrid, eyes Barcelona supremacy

    José Mourinho begins his second spell at Real Madrid, tasked with restoring the intensity of his 2010–2013 reign and deposing Barcelona as Spain's leading club. The Portuguese coach takes charge after Real Madrid went two seasons without a major trophy, with recent managerial instability leaving the club unable to balance its attacking stars Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham.

    20 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Nine Premier League clubs debut new managers this season

    Nine Premier League clubs will have new managers when the season starts Friday, marking the most managerial turnover before the start of an English top-flight campaign since 1946/47. Enzo Maresca, Andoni Iraola, and Xabi Alonso face particular scrutiny in high-profile roles at Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

    18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 15 August

  1. Fernandez jeered by Chelsea fans in friendly win

    Enzo Fernandez was booed by Chelsea supporters when he came on as a substitute in a 3-1 friendly win over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge, after the midfielder previously expressed his desire to leave Chelsea. Chelsea has set a reported asking price of £120 million on Fernandez, who told the club in May he wanted to leave.

    15 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Xavi named Netherlands coach, first foreigner since 1978

    Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona's former coach and 2010 World Cup winner with Spain, has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands national team on a four-year deal, becoming their first foreign manager in 48 years. He will lead the Oranje's Euro 2028 and 2030 World Cup campaigns.

    13 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Mudryk returns from doping ban in Chelsea friendly loss

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso praised Mykhailo Mudryk's "emotional" return from a doping ban, with the Ukrainian winger playing for the first time in nearly two years as a substitute in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong. Mudryk had not played since November 2024 and won an appeal to resume his football career on Friday.

    5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Xabi Alonso — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute