{"id":900,"date":"2026-08-11T10:04:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T10:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=900"},"modified":"2026-08-11T10:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T10:04:15","slug":"how-every-chelsea-manager-fared-in-their-premier-league-debut-ahead-of-xabi-alonso-vs-fulham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=900","title":{"rendered":"How every Chelsea manager fared in their Premier League debut ahead of Xabi Alonso vs Fulham"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso will become the 22nd permanent Chelsea boss to take charge of a Premier League game when the season gets underway against Fulham, with a mixed record for those who came before him.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is optimism around Blues fans around the hiring of Alonso<\/a>, with them needing a bounceback campaign following their dismal 10th-placed finish<\/p>\n

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The Spaniard will be far closer to knowing his starting XI<\/a> for the opening game of the season, where he will get his first taste of a West London derby at Craven Cottage.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s pre-season tour is over! What are your early thoughts on Xabi Alonso as manager? \ud83d\udcad<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

How every Chelsea manager fared in their Premier League debut<\/h2>\n

Of the 21 Chelsea<\/a> managers and head coaches to come before him, only ten have been successful in their first Premier League outing.<\/p>\n

This surprisingly included both Liam Rosenior<\/a> and Graham Potter<\/a>, whose time in charge wouldn\u2019t even last a full season at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Jose Mourinho<\/a> makes up another two of the victors from his time in charge, with Antonio Conte<\/a> and Carlo Ancelotti<\/a> winning their first games on the way to winning the Premier League.<\/p>\n

The other victors were Maurizio Sarri, Roberto Di Matteo<\/a>, Luiz Felipe Scolari and David Webb, all the way back in 1993.<\/p>\n

There were six permanent managers who drew their opening game, with the first being Ian Porterfield when he took charge of Chelsea\u2019s first Premier League game in 1992.<\/p>\n

Ruud Gullit, Claudio Ranieri and Andre Villas-Boas also were held to draws in their first games, with a number of recent examples where they couldn\u2019t get the victory over the line.<\/p>\n

Thomas Tuchel\u2019s<\/a> very impressive time in charge started with a 0-0 draw against Wolves, while Mauricio Pochettino<\/a> earned a solid point against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Five Chelsea managers have lost their first game in charge, with both Frank Lampard<\/a> and Enzo Maresca<\/a> falling to comprehensive defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City respectively.<\/p>\n

Avram Grant also lost his opening game to United, while Gianluca Vialli and Glenn Hoddle\u2019s entertaining spells in charge got off on the wrong foot too.<\/p>\n

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What system will Xabi Alonso use the most? Where will the likes of Marco Palestra, Reece James, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers all fit?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Alonso is the first manager to take on West London rivals Fulham on the opening day, with the Blues needing to put in a far better display than they did at Craven Cottage last season.<\/p>\n

Chelsea lost 2-1 following Marc Cucurella\u2019s red card back in January, in a game that was notable for including Liam Delap\u2019s only Premier League goal for the club.<\/p>\n

With a clash against defending champions Arsenal just three games in, the Blues need points on the board early on, putting extra pressure on their opening game against Fulham.<\/p>\n

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