Xabi Alonso made his Premier League debut as Chelsea manager against Fulham in August 2026.
Alonso’s first league match in charge of Chelsea was the 3–2 victory at Fulham on Monday 24 August, the final fixture of the opening round. Chelsea’s win gave him a successful start in English top-flight management.
The match carried an unusual personal connection. Fulham were managed by Álvaro Arbeloa, and Alonso and Arbeloa had previously been teammates at Real Madrid. Their first Premier League meeting as managers therefore took place in a local derby, with the two clubs separated by roughly one mile on the short journey between Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage.
The name can be confused with Enzo Maresca, who began the season as Manchester City manager, or Mikel Arteta, who remained Arsenal’s manager. Alonso’s Chelsea appointment was one of seven managerial changes among Premier League clubs entering the 2026–27 campaign.