Xabi Alonso managed Chelsea during their 2026–27 Premier League opening-weekend match at Fulham.
Chelsea won 3–2 away at Craven Cottage on Monday, 24 August 2026. The match was the final fixture of the opening weekend and featured two managerial appointments connected with Spanish football: Alonso in charge of Chelsea and Álvaro Arbeloa managing Fulham.
Alonso had previously built his coaching reputation at Bayer Leverkusen before taking the Chelsea job. His first Premier League match for the club ended in victory, although Chelsea conceded twice in the west London derby.
The fixture should not be confused with Fulham manager Arbeloa, who was on the opposite touchline. Other new managers in the division included Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, Enzo Maresca at Manchester City and Michael Carrick at Manchester United.