Xabi Alonso has been linked with a number of jobs since parting ways with Real Madrid last month, with recently-surfacing reports suggesting that the Liverpool legend snubbed the chance to manage another European powerhouse
Xabi Alonso looks on
Xabi Alonso has been linked with a number of clubs(Image: Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso's decision to snub Marseille suggests that he could be holding out for a post with Liverpool. The Spaniard has been out of work since he left Real Madrid by mutual consent last month, bringing a brief seven-month tenure to a close.
Despite leading Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga, DfB Pokal and DfB Supercup treble in 2024, Alonso failed to make much of a mark at the Bernabeu, managing just 34 matches before he was out the door. Despite an impressive record of 24 wins, four draws and just six losses, a Supercopa final loss to Barcelona proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
In the month since, the 44-year-old has been linked with a wealth of jobs, given other clubs have also opted for a change of personnel as of late. Despite being a Liverpool legend, Alonso has been touted to take up tenure at Manchester United this summer in the wake of Ruben Amorim's dismissal.
However, given his affiliation with the Reds, it's a highly unlikely scenario. The former midfielder was also linked with the vacant Tottenham Hotspur hotseat after Thomas Frank was dismissed earlier this month, only for Igor Tudor to arrive as an interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
In the wake of Roberto De Zerbi leaving Marseille the same day that Frank was sacked, Alonso found himself tipped with a move to the Ligue 1 challengers. RMC Sport claim that Alonso was considered by the club following accellerated talks with Habib Beye, only for the Tolosa-born head coach to turn his nose up by the conditions on offer.
It could suggest that Alonso is holding out for a return to the club where he became a footballing legend, given tensions at Anfield pertaining to Arne Slot at present. Despite winning the Premier League with the Reds last season, 2025/26 has been turbulent to say the least.
As a result of 12 wins, six draws and eight losses, Liverpool currently sit sixth in the league standings, 15 points adrift a top of the table Arsenal who look set to win their first league title in more than 20 years.
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All things considered, Liverpool are more likely to be caught up in a battle to secure qualification for the Champions League for 2026/27 than contending in the race for the Premier League, with Manchester City the only team who look capable of catching Mikel Arteta's side at present - given they sit just four points below the Gunners in second.
However, with Pep Guardiola's future at the Etihad beyond the current campaign also up in the air, Alonso has also been tipped as a successor to his fellow Spaniard in the event of him vacating his managerial role with the Sky Blues.
According to Emmanuel Petit, Alonso would jump at the chance to coach Liverpool above any other Premier League team. Speaking to Ignition Casino, Petit said: "If Xabi Alonso has the chance to come back to Liverpool, even if the door is open at Man City, I'm pretty sure he would join Liverpool.
"He has a connection to Liverpool. He's been a player over there and he won trophies over there.
"He failed at Real Madrid but that has been the case for many managers over there. I think if he has the chance to join the Premier League, Liverpool would be the perfect club for him. It’s like Mikel Arteta’s connection to Arsenal, it would mean he wouldn’t consider joining Manchester City even when Pep Guardiola leaves."
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