There’s a certain irony in a set piece specialist quietly exiting the spotlight. Bernardo Cueva, the coach widely credited with transforming Chelsea’s dead ball situations from forgettable to genuinely threatening, is stepping away from on-pitch coaching duties as Xabi Alonso prepares to take the reins at Stamford Bridge.

Cueva will remain at the club, but in an analytical and support capacity rather than as an active on-field coach.

From Brentford to Stamford Bridge, and now the shadows

Cueva joined Chelsea at the start of the 2024-25 season, arriving from Brentford where set piece coaching had become something of a competitive weapon for the west London club under Thomas Frank’s tenure.

His contribution is attached to two pieces of silverware. Chelsea claimed the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League title, and then followed it up by winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Alonso was appointed Chelsea manager on a four-year deal in May 2026, with his tenure officially beginning on July 1, 2026.

New manager, new staff architecture

Cueva is expected to continue working alongside existing backroom figures including Calum McFarlane and Ben Roberts. His role shifts toward the analytical side, where his expertise in set piece design can presumably still feed into the coaching process without him holding a position on the training pitch itself.

What this means for Chelsea’s set piece identity going forward

Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side was not known primarily as a set piece powerhouse. His tactical identity leaned more toward high-pressing, positional play, and controlling games through structure and movement.

Cueva’s move behind the scenes preserves institutional knowledge within the club rather than losing it entirely to a rival, suggesting the decision was handled with some care on both sides.