Xabi Alonso set to bring four of his Real Madrid coaching staff to Chelsea

Xabi Alonso is set to be joined by four members of his Real Madrid backroom staff when he takes over at Chelsea.

The Spaniard was officially announced as the Blues' new manager on Sunday, and his coaching team is already taking shape.

Overhaul

Among those joining Alonso in west London is long-term assistant Sebastian Parillas.

The pair have worked together since he began his coaching career with Real Madrid's under-14s in 2018, before teaming up again in his first senior role in charge of Real Sociedad's B team.

These aren't the only familiar faces expected to follow the ex-Real Madrid boss to Stamford Bridge, with assistants Alberto Encinas and Benat Labaien also in line to make up his backroom team.

So too is fitness coach Ismael Camenforte Lopez, while Alonso is also set to keep a trio of current Chelsea staff.

Interim head coach Calum McFarlane is primed to remain at the club and be part of the new manager’s backroom staff.

Current set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva and goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts are both also expected to stay on at the club.

Who are Chelsea's new coaches?

Alonso's four new recruits all departed Real Madrid alongside him following his sacking by Real Madrid in January.

Assistant Parrilla previously spent two decades working in Los Blancos' academy, before striking up a coaching partnership with the ex-Spain midfielder.

Encinas is a former coach at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, who first worked with Alonso during his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen before going with him to Madrid.

Labaien joined Alonso's coaching team at the Santiago Bernabeu, having previously worked in the youth set-up between 2011 and 2014.

He works as a video analyst and assistant coach, and has also had spells at Atletico Madrid, Leeds United, Real Sociedad, Al Wakrah and Real Zaragoza, and also had a stint as manager of Japanese side Tokushima Vortis in 2023.

Meanwhile, fitness coach Lopez's working relationship with Alonso dates back to his time at Leverkusen between 2022 and 2025.

'Lots of respect'

Alonso's appointment at Stamford Bridge marks his return to management following his early exit from Real Madrid.

While his stint at the Spanish giants ultimately lasted just eight months, he made significant changes to their backroom staff following his appointment last summer, and could well do the same at Chelsea.

One man who is set to form part of his team, acting head coach McFarlane, revealed Alonso texted him after the Blues' FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester City, a day before he was unveiled as manager.

He said: “He sent me a text message yesterday, I will keep that private, but it was mainly about the final.

“Everyone is excited. He's a great coach. He’s won major trophies and had a great playing career.

"He will have lots of respect from everyone. We're very excited.”

Great expectations

Alonso arrives at Chelsea with huge expectations, having earned a reputation as one of football's most promising young managers.

While his stint in the Spanish capital did not work out, the Liverpool legend previously made a name for himself at Bayer Leverkusen.

There, he ended Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance with league glory in 2024 with a remarkable unbeaten domestic season.

He also won the DfB Pokal in the 2023/24 season, before falling just short in the Europa League final to Atalanta.

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