Alonso Snubs Marseille, Eyes Stable Liverpool Opportunity
Xabi Alonso has reportedly turned down the chance to manage Marseille, describing the Ligue 1 club as too unstable for his liking. Following a short-lived tenure at Real Madrid, the former midfielder is prioritizing projects with structural security, with speculation growing over a future role at Liverpool as Arne Slot struggles.
Xabi Alonso turns down Marseille due to club instability, focusing on long-term projects and leaving Liverpool as a possible next destination.
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RMC Sport claims that Marseille’s approach was “immediately” declined by Alonso, 44. The French club, seeking a successor to Roberto De Zerbi, who departed unexpectedly earlier this month, acted quickly. Yet Alonso’s decision reflects his desire to avoid repeating the instability he experienced in Madrid, after a challenging seven months in charge of the Spanish giants.
The atmosphere at Marseille has been tense since De Zerbi’s exit after a crushing 5-0 loss to PSG on February 8. Sporting director Medhi Benatia, Alonso’s former Bayern Munich teammate, attempted to resign amid internal conflicts. Owner Frank McCourt rejected Benatia’s resignation and demoted club president Pablo Longoria, placing Benatia in complete control of sporting operations for the remainder of the season.
Alonso reportedly viewed this organizational upheaval and internal friction as dealbreakers. Following his Madrid exit, he emphasized the importance of a stable environment where his coaching philosophy could thrive without interference from management changes.
In response to Alonso’s refusal, Marseille appointed Habib Beye, formerly of Newcastle and recently sacked by Rennes, to maintain competitive consistency under Benatia’s leadership. Meanwhile, Liverpool represents a more secure opportunity for Alonso. With the Reds underperforming relative to previous seasons, a managerial vacancy could soon emerge, offering him a solid platform to build a long-term project at Anfield.
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