Source claims Chelsea focused on 'tactical' question in manager search to avoid Conte – Sarri situation

Xabi Alonso is the new Chelsea manager, and a big part of the decision to appoint him is tactical, according to sources at the club.

Chelsea have managed to land Xabi Alonso as their new manager, against the odds, and the long reads are now coming out about how that all went down.

The Athletic’s piece today is all about Alonso’s arrival and why the Blues went for him.

Tactical considerations top of Chelsea’s list when making Alonso appointment

Interestingly, it’s Alonso’s style of play that seems to have played a major role in him getting the Chelsea job – and counted against him replacing Arne Slot on Merseyside.

“Alonso is viewed as being of the same school of coaching as [Enzo] Maresca… offering a measure of continuity on the pitch,” the Athletic report.

“One club source voiced a desire to avoid the kind of jarring transition represented by Chelsea moving from Antonio Conte to Maurizio Sarri in the summer of 2018, necessitating big changes to the squad.”

We’re not sure fans will be delighted by the idea of going back to a patient, Maresca-style approach. But it’s preferable to losing every week, at least.

Chelsea are also going to make changes to their transfer policy, with Xabi Alonso likely encouraged to sign up by a change in direction towards more proven talent.

The new Chelsea boss has the title of “manager” rather than head coach, and that feels pretty significant to us given the reasoning for it.