New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says restoring ambition and a winning mentality is his top priority as he begins life at Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season.
Xabi Alonso has made it clear that rebuilding Chelsea’s winning mentality will be his first priority after officially beginning life as the club’s new head coach.
Speaking at his first press conference on Monday, the Spaniard stressed that success would be driven by attitude as much as tactics.
Rather than setting bold targets for his debut campaign, Alonso focused on creating an identity capable of sustaining long-term success. The 44-year-old believes Chelsea must rediscover the ambition and hunger that have defined the club’s greatest teams.
Xabi at Stamford Bridge. 🏡 pic.twitter.com/f2yMXALpKG
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2026
“We are ambitious and we at Chelsea need to share that energy, that ambition, as well as that hunger to want to have success,” Alonso said, outlining the mentality he expects from his players.
The former Real Madrid boss acknowledged that qualifying for European competition remains an important objective, but insisted those ambitions can only be achieved by building strong foundations both on and off the pitch.
“For sure that’s a goal,” Alonso explained. “But to reach that goal, you need to do many right things. How do we want to play? How do we want to see ourselves? How do we want to approach a game wherever we go? That’s my job.”
Alonso added that he is eager to begin working with his full squad, although several players remain away on international duty or involved in transfer discussions. He admitted it is still early in the club’s pre-season preparations but is looking forward to implementing his ideas.
Watch now: Xabi’s first press conference as Chelsea Manager! 📺
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2026
The Spaniard also reflected on the ongoing FIFA World Cup and recalled the experience of winning the tournament with Spain in 2010, as he prepares to write the next chapter of his managerial career by leading Chelsea into what the club hopes will be the beginning of a new era.
