Frank Leboeuf Backs Xabi Alonso to Succeed at Chelsea — But Only If Given Full Footballing Control

Frank Leboeuf, who made 144 appearances for Chelsea during a five-year stint at the club between 1996 and 2001, has offered a firm endorsement of Xabi Alonso’s appointment as manager — with one significant condition attached.

The former France international, speaking via BetMGM, said Alonso’s track record as a coach speaks for itself. “Yes and yes, he’s a great player. He used to be a great player, and he knows football,” Leboeuf said. He went further, drawing a direct comparison to one of the most decorated managers in the modern game: “He did it with cleverness and the guy is one of the smartest coaches around, like Pep Guardiola.”

Leboeuf’s confidence in Alonso is rooted largely in what the Spaniard achieved at Bayer Leverkusen, where he transformed the club into one of European football’s most compelling sides. Under Alonso, Leverkusen completed the 2023-24 Bundesliga season unbeaten — a historic achievement — before reaching the UEFA Europa League final. The combination of tactical clarity, man-management, and a coherent footballing identity drew widespread admiration across the continent.

“What he did for Bayer Leverkusen was simply amazing because he had the control and the people on the board allowed him to do whatever he wanted,” Leboeuf added.

That point about autonomy sits at the centre of Leboeuf’s assessment. The former defender, who won two FA Cups, a League Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup during his time in west London, believes Chelsea’s ownership structure has historically undermined managerial authority — and that the pattern must change if Alonso is to thrive.

“If Chelsea wants to achieve something, they have to change their mindset,” he said. “They can control the finances and everything happening in the office, but when it comes to what happens on the pitch, Xabi Alonso should be the only one in charge.”

The warning carries weight given Chelsea’s recent history. Since Todd Boehly’s consortium completed a takeover in May 2022, the club has cycled through multiple managers — including Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard (in a caretaker capacity), Mauricio Pochettino, and Enzo Maresca — while spending in excess of £1 billion on transfer fees. The instability has drawn sustained criticism from players, supporters, and pundits alike.

Alonso’s appointment represents a significant shift in ambition for the club. The 44-year-old, who won the Champions League as a player with both Liverpool and Real Madrid, declined an approach from Bayern Munich in 2024 before his Leverkusen chapter concluded. His decision to take on the Chelsea project suggests confidence in the direction the club is heading.

Leboeuf made clear he views the appointment positively. “I’m very pleased that they picked Xabi Alonso. Congratulations to them, it’s a good call. I’m pretty sure Xabi Alonso will do very well if he has the control,” he said.

According to reports, Chelsea are already active in the transfer market ahead of Alonso’s first full season in charge, with the club reportedly identifying several targets aligned with the new manager’s preferred system. The extent to which Alonso is granted genuine footballing authority — as Leboeuf insists is necessary — will likely determine how quickly the project gains traction.