Xabi Alonso's curious Chelsea role revealed and how Kylian Mbappe has given green light

"As one chapter closes, another one begins," as the old adage goes - and that was very much the case for Chelsea on Saturday evening. The Blues suffered more Wembley heartache, losing 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final, in what felt like the season - and a chapter - coming to a close, despite there still being two matches left to play.

Just 73 minutes after the final whistle was blown, there was suddenly life again. Sources confirmed news that will spread newfound optimism in the air at the club's Cobham training centre.

Chelsea have agreed a four-year contract with Xabi Alonso to become the new manager. A new chapter, the sixth of BlueCo's tenure, is coming soon at Stamford Bridge, with Alonso set to take over as manager on July 1.

Yes, that's right: 'manager'. Not the head coach. Sources say the west Londoners believe Alonso deserves the role of manager given his seniority and track record in football.

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Chelsea are putting their trust in Alonso to be a major figure in what has turned into a rebuild at Stamford Bridge. The club are planning for the 44-year-old to be heavily involved in this summer's transfer window, with sources saying the former Liverpool midfielder agrees with Chelsea's five-strong team of sporting directors that numerous additions are needed in order for the Blues to compete for major honours next season.

Alonso is a fan of the squad already at the club, but will be helping in the process of identifying Premier League-proven players to acquire over the course of the summer. BlueCo are not planning to completely deviate from their youth-focused recruitment model, however there is a recognition that more experience within the squad can take Chelsea, with Alonso at the helm, to the next level.

Alonso is set to this morning (Sunday) be confirmed as Chelsea's first manager (not head coach) since Jose Mourinho, when he was appointed in that role - during his second spell at Stamford Bridge - in June 2013. A manager has more control in operations within a football club and senior figures at Chelsea believe the Spaniard has earned that.

Alonso will work collaboratively with Chelsea's sporting leadership team this summer to assemble a squad ready to compete in time for the 2026/27 campaign. At least three or four players will be targeted this summer, while there are set to be multiple shipped off in the process. Chelsea and Alonso want players who match the club's expectations regarding their ability, talent and personality.

Alonso will begin his role in around a month-and-a-half, sources say, with interim head coach Calum McFarlane taking the final two matches of the season against Tottenham and Sunderland. Chelsea still have an outside shot of qualifying for Europe, making the final two matches of the season crucial, though there is plenty of work happening behind the scenes to give the club a head start on their rivals next term.

The Blues understand this season has been an extremely disappointing one but believe they have learned their lessons. There is an acceptance that this campaign has been well below the standards expected of a club the size of Chelsea.

Other candidates were considered - including the likes of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis - for Alonso's role, but the 2010 World Cup winner was the club's first-choice option throughout the process. Chelsea believe Alonso will bring character, integrity, leadership and discipline to a squad that is crying out for authority.

Some of these players mocked Liam Rosenior in his final days as Chelsea head coach, with a few saying he was like a "supply teacher". It showed, undoubtedly, a lack of maturity within the dressing room, but with Alonso arriving in the summer, such behaviour is unlikely be tolerated. Alonso commands respect.

Just ask Jonathan Tah. The Germany defender, who played under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, said this last summer: "We went to the meeting room, and Xabi, he has this natural aura.

"It's hard to even say what it is, but it's in the way he speaks and looks you in the eye. Sincerity like that can be rare in football. You know what he did as a player, but it's even more about how he treats you as a person. He commands absolute respect."

Just ask a certain Kylian Mbappe, who he managed for less than eight months during his spell at Real Madrid earlier in the season. Mbappe, who has in the past been described as difficult to manage, had bags of respect for the new Chelsea gaffer: "We had a structure in our games, and we lost it - that hurts a lot.

"I had a great relationship with Xabi Alonso. He is going to become a great coach, but that is now in the past."

After his departure from the Santiago Bernabeu in January, Mbappe wrote on social media: "It's been short but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you. Thank you for giving me confidence since day one.

"I will remember you as a manager who had clear ideas and knows many things about football. Best of luck for your next chapter."

That next chapter is at Stamford Bridge, with BlueCo's period of 'self-reflection' leading to Alonso. The ownership group, spearheaded by billionaire Behdad Eghbali, recognise the setbacks experienced over the past season but are now excited for what the future holds with - who they believe is - one of the most respected young coaches in world football in the dugout.

Alonso and the club's board have a strong alignment, and that was clear from the very first conversation between the two parties, on where Chelsea need to improve and where they are already really strong. The Blues are determined to be back amongst the best in the Premier League next season, while competing for major honours along the way.

Alonso has long been on Chelsea's radar. The interest in the Spaniard was nothing new, but it felt like the right opportunity for the Blues to bring him in, even with the potential threat - that never actually came to fruition - of Liverpool in the background.

Sources have told football.london that Chelsea, while recognising Alonso's tactical knowledge and his ability to implement his ideas onto the pitch, were desperate to appoint the Spaniard for what he brings off the field as well. Alonso has extremely high standards and the club are hopeful that will transmit inside the dressing room and also believe his communication and man-management skills will benefit the young group of players enormously.

Alonso is leading the next stage of Chelsea's long-term project and the club want this new phase to be a more stable environment than what it has been in the four years since BlueCo paid Roman Abramovich north of £2billion to take over in SW6.

It is the most significant stage of BlueCo's project at Stamford Bridge. It's a decision they cannot afford to get wrong. Supporters are, and have been for a while, increasingly frustrated with the direction of the west London club - see the protest in the build-up to the FA Cup final defeat on Saturday. However, there seems to be a unanimous feeling among fans of excitement with Alonso coming in over the summer.

Alonso is set to become BlueCo's sixth permanent manager/head coach (their fifth appointment) in the space of four years. Alonso feels different - and that is with no disrespect intended to Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior. I think most would agree with that.

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