According to a report by GOAL on Saturday October 24, 2026, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has admitted that his departure from Real Madrid came too early, but insists he holds no bitterness towards the Spanish giants as he begins a new chapter at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard saw his spell at the Santiago Bernabeu come to an end midway through the season following a defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.

Alonso had arrived at Real Madrid with a strong reputation after his impressive work at Bayer Leverkusen, but his attempt to implement a new playing style was cut short before the campaign had concluded.

Speaking to former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports' Boss programme, Alonso admitted that he would have preferred more time to prove himself in the Spanish capital.

“I felt as though it finished a little bit earlier, before knowing if the season was going to end well,” Alonso said.

Despite his disappointment, the 44-year-old insisted that he had no regrets about taking the Madrid job, describing the experience as a valuable lesson in his managerial career.

“Real Madrid is special in everything. It’s a little bit different to other clubs in everything,” he added.

Alonso has since turned his attention to Chelsea, explaining that the timing of the opportunity and the club's potential convinced him to take charge in west London.

The former midfielder said he took time to rest after his previous managerial challenges before deciding on his next destination. He also highlighted the importance of having a strong connection with the club and sharing a common vision for the future.

“It was about the timing. For me it was the right timing after Bayer Leverkusen, after Real Madrid. I had my time off,” Alonso explained.

The Chelsea boss believes the club already has a strong foundation, although he acknowledged that improvements and carefully selected signings will be necessary to build a competitive side.

He also made it clear that he views his appointment as a long-term project rather than an opportunity to deliver immediate success.

“It was gonna be a project… We know it’s going to take some more years, but the first year is important and here we are, just starting,” Alonso said.

Alonso's comments suggest that he is determined to learn from his difficult experience at Real Madrid while establishing a more sustainable project at Chelsea.

With the Blues reportedly sitting fourth in the Premier League, the Spaniard will hope to build on their early progress and turn the club's potential into consistent performances as the season develops.