Xabi Alonso has been out of work for just over a month since being sacked by Real Madrid, but the former Liverpool star was recently given the chance to quickly return to coaching.
Xabi Alonso’s services are in demand (Image: Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso has turned down an approach from Marseille amid rumors of a return to Liverpool. Alonso, 44, was released by Real Madrid in January, just seven months after leaving Bayer Leverkusen.
Real’s loss to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final spelled the end for Alonso, but behind-the-scenes issues contributed to his departure. It was reported that multiple senior players felt disrespected by the Spaniard and were dissatisfied with his philosophy.
Alonso’s troubled relationship with Vinicius Junior also symbolized Alonso’s inability to convince the dressing room. Real president Florentino Perez sacked him in typically ruthless fashion, and he has shown signs of recovery this season under his replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa.
But Alonso’s harrowing experience at the Bernabéu, where he spent five years as a player, shaped the standard for his next job. According to French outlet RMC Sport, the former midfielder immediately rejected Marseille’s approach over concerns that the Ligue 1 club was “too chaotic”.
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Earlier this month, Roberto De Zerbi stepped down as manager, setting off a chain reaction. The former Brighton manager left by mutual consent after Marseille lost 5-0 away to Paris Saint-Germain.
Four days later, sporting director Mehdi Benatia announced his resignation. Benatia said he could no longer “ignore the current situation” following a “break in communication” with the Marseille board.
Club owner Frank McCourt subsequently confirmed Benatia would remain in his role until the end of the season. During Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Strasbourg, supporters behind both goals boycotted the opening 15 minutes and whistled at the team during the match.
Marseille turned to Habib Bey after Alonso turned them down. The former Newcastle and Aston Villa defender took over the reins at the Stade Velodrome despite being sacked by Ligue 1 rivals Rennes last week.
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Marseille fans protested during the last match (Image: Emilian Baldow/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
As for Alonso, he was once Europe’s most in-demand manager and is taking time to decide on his next move. The 44-year-old is thought to be open to an emotional return to Liverpool as Arne Slott’s replacement.
When a journalist asked Slott last month whether Alonso had contacted him to discuss his resignation, the current Reds manager responded in good humor. “Yes, he called me and said, ‘Can you tell me a little bit more about it because I’m taking over in six months?'” Slott joked.
“Or maybe sooner. Maybe tomorrow he takes over! No, no, no. This is one of the strangest questions I’ve ever received. What does it say there? I’ve been working here for a little over a year and a half and I love my job here.
“We won the league last season, but this season we struggled even more in the league. That’s obvious. So, what else do we need to say?”
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