Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso rejected Marseille as speculation grows that he could be holding out for the Reds, having parted company with Real Madrid last month
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
14:32, 18 Feb 2026
Xabi Alonso is currently a free agent
Xabi Alonso is currently a free agent(Image: Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso's rejection of Marseille hints that he may be waiting for an opportunity at Liverpool.
The former Reds midfielder has been without a club since parting ways with Real Madrid last month, ending a short seven-month spell. Despite guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga, German Cup, and German Super Cup treble in 2024, Alonso struggled to leave his mark at the Bernabeu, overseeing only 34 matches before his departure.
Though his record showed 24 victories, four draws, and merely six defeats, a Supercopa final defeat to Barcelona proved to be the final straw. Since then, the 44-year-old has been connected with numerous vacancies, as several clubs have also made managerial changes recently.
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Despite his legendary status at Liverpool, Alonso has been mooted as a potential appointment at Manchester United this summer following Ruben Amorim's sacking.
However, given his ties to the Reds, such a scenario seems highly improbable.
Alonso was also linked with the available Tottenham position after Thomas Frank's departure earlier this month, before Igor Tudor was installed as interim head coach until the end of the campaign.
Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with Liverpool
Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Following Roberto De Zerbi's departure from Marseille on the same day Frank was dismissed, Alonso became linked with a switch to the Ligue 1 team.
RMC Sport reports that Alonso was under consideration by the club after accelerated discussions with Habib Beye, only for the Tolosa-born manager to reject the terms presented.
This could indicate that Alonso is waiting for an opportunity to return to the club where he established himself as a soccer icon, particularly given the current tensions at Anfield surrounding Arne Slot.
Despite securing the Premier League with the Reds last season, 2025-26 has proved turbulent to say the least.
With 12 victories, six draws, and eight defeats, Liverpool currently occupies sixth place in the league table, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, the team that appears poised to claim its first league title in over 20 years.
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All things considered, Liverpool is more likely to find itself battling to secure Champions League qualification for 2026-27 rather than competing in the Premier League title race.
Manchester City is the only side that appears capable of catching Mikel Arteta's team at present, sitting just four points behind the Gunners in second place.
However, with Pep Guardiola's future at the Etihad uncertain beyond this season, Alonso has emerged as a potential replacement for his compatriot should the former Barcelona manager step down from his post.