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The departure of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid sent shockwaves across European football, with several elite clubs positioning themselves to secure his signature ahead of next season.
Liverpool are among the leading suitors, given Alonso’s strong ties to Anfield and their inconsistent campaign, which has prompted fresh discussions about the managerial future.
Since retiring, Alonso has quickly emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches. His work at Bayer Leverkusen was transformative, ending Bayern Munich’s dominance and delivering the club’s first Bundesliga title.
Across 140 matches, he recorded 89 wins, 32 draws, and 19 defeats, also winning the German Cup and Super Cup while finishing runner-up in the UEFA Europa League.
His spell at Madrid proved brief and challenging, lasting just six months during a transitional period. He oversaw 34 games, winning 24, drawing four, and losing six, with his final match a 3-2 defeat toBarcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
With his future now uncertain, Alonso has once again become one of the most influential figures in the managerial market. Xabi Alonso is reportedly on a three-man shortlist to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, amid growing belief this could be Guardiola’s final season. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have also been linked.
According to RMC Sport, Xabi Alonso was considered by Olympique de Marseille before the club accelerated talks with Habib Beye following a meeting between owner Frank McCourt and supporter representatives on Tuesday.
However, Alonso was not convinced by the conditions on offer, with ongoing institutional turbulence, uncertainty over the presidency, reduced sporting influence for Pablo Longoria, and the prospect of a short-term mandate all discouraging him from pursuing the role.
Marseille now appear set to appoint Beye, pending LFP validation. Roberto De Zerbi left the club a week ago after a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and inconsistent results.
Sporting director Medhi Benatia initially resigned the same day but was reinstated by McCourt with expanded football responsibilities, while Longoria has been moved to more institutional duties.
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