Might as well start a new thread with Xabi Alonso about to be officially announced as our new manager.

For once, I'm finally excited about a new managerial appointment.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/clypg8611k4o

That looks suspiciously like Scott Parker.

It's just been announced.

Xabi Alonso appointed Chelsea manager

It's Scott Parker I'm tellin' yers!

Great appointment, let's hope we back him and get rid of some of the dross we've got.

The ownership and SDs have been terrible, but I give them credit for this appointment.

Amazing feeling finally having a proper manager in charge of the club. I'm excited for next season now.

1 minute ago, Jezz said:

The ownership and SDs have been terrible, but I give them credit for this appointment.

Amazing feeling finally having a proper manager in charge of the club. I'm excited for next season now.

In a nutshell.

Confirmed. Scott Parker changed his name on Friday by deed poll to Xavi Alonso.

Brilliant!

As many others, I was simply checked out these past few months and was just numb regardless if we won or lost. That is what was scaring me the most.

I'll be honest, I had no expectations that they will actually pull this off, but credit where it's due. It's only the first step, but it's a very promising one.

This has got me excited again! Xabi just has a certain aura about him, I am completely aboard the hype train. Let's hope it works out.

Also, Liverpool fans can suck a big fat one, it's so satisfying seeing them in a meltdown, it is the cherry on top.

Can't wait for next season! Come on Chels!

This is the level of manager we expect at Chelsea Football Club. This is how we need to behave, that's much more like it.

Just got to hope that we give him enough time, backing and our full support. I know that we the supporters can do that for sure!

Make no mistake this is a manager who was obviously an elite player which will help in the dressing room to no end. He is absolutely capable of winning the highest honours for us if he gets the right support.

Welcome gaffer we are all behind you and so excited to see what we can achieve together.

Excellent signing, best we could have hoped for really.

I expect its been a announced this quickly so we can start player movement early, having Alonso in gives the club more of a chance in getting their targets to sign up.

Edited May 17May 17 by dkw

Will he be in charge for the Sp*rs game or does he start at the end of the season?

A manager with hair, this is the right way forward. Give him a blank slate to clear the deadwood and bring in whoever he wants. Let’s be a serious club again.

4 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

Will he be in charge for the Sp*rs game or does he start at the end of the season?

4 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

Will he be in charge for the Sp*rs game or does he start at the end of the season?

1st July!

Brilliant.. and he is apparently involved already in transfer targets...

Romano says "Xabi’s contract to run from July 1st but set to start working immediately also on transfers."

Alonso says "From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.

‘There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."

Edited May 17May 17 by OTL

Hopefully he hasn't agreed to build his new team around Enzo Fernandez !

Always hated him and admired him when we played Liverpool lol

But hopefully he can sort these bunch of pricks out.

And if it’s true that he’s in full control, then I’ll be so happy.

Got my backing. Good luck Xabi.

11 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Hopefully he hasn't agreed to build his new team around Enzo Fernandez !

It will be fascinating to see who's in and who's out of the existing squad, also if any youth players are brought into the main squad and indeed if any loan players return. Initial transfer targets might be players with much needed experience.

Dirty stinking scouser, not welcome here - unless he wins stuff 😆

I'm still highly suspicious of the owners and DSs. No way they will relinquish their power and self-important strut and suddenly choose the good of football over lining their pockets and dreams of making CFC LDN into an entertainment centre (sorry, center) while telling Europeans they're all wrong about this football malarky. Letting Alonso be a manager instead of a head coach making his own decisions would be the biggest turnaround since Scrooge became a benign compassionate human being.

Not a believer.

Yes, I'm grumpy, what gave it away?

Edited May 17May 17 by Valerie

Ongi etorri eta sorte on, Xabi! Bienvenido y mucha suerte! Welcome and good luck!

Good appointment and good that he’s been named a manager. He’s the best available, or at least the one with the highest pedigree, and for once the board hasn’t faffed around. Now we just need:

• the SDs to f**k off and get the sack, appoint one good one;

  • Involve Alonso in the decisions of who comes and goes;

• Stop buying young potential and get the experience this team really needs;

• Stop treating the match going fans like unwanted and let them have the majority of the seats available at SB.

So happy that he’s been named Manager and not head coach.

9 minutes ago, Zola_25Fan said:

So happy that he’s been named Manager and not head coach.

So good.

A step in a very big correct decision.

Cant unspoil the season weve just had, fingers corss and best of luck Alonso.