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Chelsea have announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager. Alonso, who takes up his new post on July 1, has penned a four-year deal with the club and has been without a job since departing Real Madrid in January after just seven months in charge of the Spanish giants.

Chelsea owners BlueCo have plumped for Alonso, whom they regard as one of the most gifted managerial talents in European football, to lead their long-term vision at Stamford Bridge. Alonso has been handed the title of 'manager' rather than 'head coach', making him the first to hold that designation since Jose Mourinho during his second stint in 2013.

Sources indicate Alonso will be afforded greater authority and will collaborate with the club's five-strong sporting leadership team during this summer's transfer window. It is understood Alonso is in agreement with the sporting directors regarding the areas of the squad requiring strengthening come the end of the season.

Alonso said: "Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.

"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."

Part of the statement from the club read: "Chelsea Football Club looks forward with confidence to the next phase in collaboration with Xabi, united in the determination to bring success to Stamford Bridge, a hallmark of the Club's history and future."

The Chelsea hierarchy had been on the hunt for the right candidate to succeed Liam Rosenior, who was shown the door last month, just three months into a six-and-a-half-year contract.

Alonso, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva were amongst those considered for the role, while Frank Lampard had also been linked with a remarkable return to Stamford Bridge.

Yet it is Alonso who will become the fifth permanent managerial appointment of the BlueCo ownership era, following Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.

football.london understands that Alonso sought guarantees regarding how much authority he would hold over all aspects of team affairs - particularly having been forced out by player power during his brief spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The securing of Alonso is regarded as a significant coup for Chelsea, with the former Bayer Leverkusen boss still widely considered among the finest coaches in European football. The 44 year old has long been touted as a candidate for the Liverpool job should the Reds opt to part company with Arne Slot, but the Dutchman continues to enjoy the backing of the Anfield hierarchy, even in spite of this season's difficulties in securing Champions League qualification.

Saturday's FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley means Chelsea look set to be without European football next season for the second time during the BlueCo era.