Xabi Alonso has signed a four-year deal to become Chelsea’s new manager
Thibaut Courtois responded to accusations that Real Madrid’s players engineered Xabi Alonso’s dismissal from the club earlier in the season.
The former Chelsea shot-stopper firmly denied any intention among the Madrid squad to force Alonso out, insisting that sudden “dips” are simply an inherent part of the game. Alonso has confirmed his next managerial role after being unveiled as Chelsea’s new head coach, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal.
The Spaniard agreed terms with the Blues just one day after their deflating FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City, which left them without silverware for the campaign. The former Liverpool midfielder faces yet another stern challenge, having been relieved of his duties at Madrid after little more than seven months at the helm.
Alonso succeeded managerial legend Carlo Ancelotti, under whom he had played both in Spain and at Bayern Munich in Germany. Despite a promising beginning to Alonso’s reign, Madrid’s performances fell short of expectations and Alonso’s exit was confirmed following defeat in the Supercopa final to rivals Barcelona.
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Courtois was amongst the players who struggled under the Spaniard, yet maintained that the squad made no effort to undermine his position. Speaking after a 3-0 Champions League victory over City, the goalkeeper said: “Nobody tried to get Xabi fired. We worked hard.
“People were saying we didn’t like the tactics, or the videos… Look, I had a coach like Antonio Conte who had us there for an hour every day, and it didn’t matter, because we’re professionals, work comes first.”
Reports at the time suggested that Madrid stars – including Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde – were dissatisfied with Alonso’s coaching methods. Courtois was swift to dismiss these claims as he added: “One thing is playing with your friends, but I’m a professional.
“If I have to watch a half-hour video I’ll do it. That’s how you prepare for games. In the summer I talked to NFL players who are there all day from 9am to 6pm or 8pm watching videos, and there’s no problem.
“People have doubted our professionalism. The first months with Xabi went well, and suddenly we had a dip. That happens in football.”
Alonso has since moved on from that disappointing La Liga campaign and will now look to restore Chelsea’s former glories. The Blues currently sit in 10th place in the Premier League and remain in contention for a European football berth.
Brighton are in seventh, occupying the Europa League spot on 53 points, with Chelsea four points adrift on 49. Alonso is fully aware of the challenge ahead and determined to bring silverware back to Stamford Bridge.
He said: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club. From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition.
“We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies. There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”
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