‘Cannot improve Garnacho’ – Nigerian fans react to Chelsea appointment of ex-Boniface coach Xabi Alonso

Two-time UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea have announced that Spanish manager Xabi Alonso will be their head coach from July 2026, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Blues have endured a poor season, domestically and in Europe. They're currently 10th on the English Premier League table, after parting ways with Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.

Xabi Alonso led Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface to the Bundesliga title with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2024, remaining unbeaten in all league games.

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Nigerian Chelsea fans react to Alonso's appointment

“A true Premier League fan always wants Chelsea to do well in Europe. If they're hiring Alonso, it's a plus for them. They want to copy people's model,” Chukwuma Henry said.

“They've hired someone who's a manager and not just a coach. It means they've hired someone who they will listen to, not one who will listen to them, as it was with Maresca and Rosenior,” he concluded.

“This is a coach. Now, we're ready for serious business. Start the league again. The owners have heard our cry,” Mekele Gahia said.

“After the results, the owners have realised their plan may not work. That's life, you have to learn. Hopefully, Chelsea's board have learned their mistakes from hiring and sacking coaches,” Shady Killz said.

“To Alonso, he shouldn't get carried away because the budget is going to be limited,” he concluded.

“The board should allow the coach to have the power to select his players. He's played the game; he has the experience, so let him work. He should take things slowly and not let the press bait him into saying things like he can improve players. He cannot improve Garnacho,” Daniel Alexander said.

Alonso agreed to mutually part ways with Real Madrid in January after they lost to Barcelona in the Super Copa de España final.